2016: Edition 8

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Possible 2017 fee increase

E 1942 · THE O NC FF SI I

E · THE O FF INC IC RS I PE

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9 August 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Looking at the emergency mass meeting held by the SRC regarding a 0% fee increase for next year and the possibility of free education

Image: Aisha Abdool Karim

Zoe Postman and Aisha Abdool Karim

O

n Thursday, July 28, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) SRC held a mass meeting in the New Lecture Theatre to discuss the likely fee increment of 6% for 2017 and intensify the call for free education. The meeting was led by the SRC and chaired by SRC Secretary-General Noxolo Ntaka along with Chanda Chungu, Deputy Speaker of Student Parliament. The aim of this meeting was to compile a list of demands, from students, which could then be tabled at a special sitting of the University Council.

The mass meeting was scheduled within a short time frame because the SRC was only informed of the

emergency Council meeting on Monday, July 25.

According to SRC President Rorisang Moseli, the mass meeting was called in the hopes that the SRC could ‘clearly articulate clear demands at Council that students are quite resolute on the moratorium on fees’. Moseli further commented that ‘we were able to stop any further conversations happening on Council level around fees before the government were clear on their position’.

met by growing resistance This emergency Council meeting was scheduled following meetings held by Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, with the SRC

that ran concurrently to meetings amongst the Vice-Chancellors. The Council meeting aimed to ‘discuss a position on fees and reaffirm the directive that Council decides, despite what the Minister would announce’, according to Chanda Chungu, Deputy Speaker of Student Parliament and the postgraduate student representative on Council.

Chungu further commented, ‘It’s important that the SRC and other student structures remain constantly in touch with students in critical issues to ensure they’re adequately addressed in University management.

This meeting was just one of the ways to ensure this and I hope that through various other routes we able to get views and galvanise the student body around key matters.’

According to a statement by the UCT SRC, released via e-mail, on July 27, the meeting was scheduled in response to comments made by the Department

Budget Cuts

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of Higher Education and Training and Universities South Africa about a proposed fee increase of 6% for the 2017 academic year. The statement further noted, ‘This has been met by growing resistance from student organisations

compile a list of demands

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who demand the extension of the fee moratorium (no increase) until the Presidential Commission reports on how we will achieve free education, which would likely only be in May 2017.’

Moseli said, ‘you need to, now more than anything, leave your political positions behind, you need to leave your colours of your political organisations behind. We need to now ...continued on page 3

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9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 2

News

UCT rescinds Flemming Rose invitation to TB Davie Lecture

News Bites Chidera Onwudinjo

Mbalenhle Khuzwayo

O

Elderly woman caught in crossfire near voting station An elderly woman, aged 61, was struck in her left side while walking to the shop in the early morning on Wednesday, August 3. The incident occurred metres away from the Manenberg voting station, on Madison Avenue, the Western Cape police reports. A 22 year old male suspect was taken in for questioning.

An investigation is being conducted to uncover what might have led to the shooting.

eNCA

Woman stabs new born son in the neck On the evening of July 31, a new born baby was stabbed only a few hours after his birth by his mother, a woman aged 33 years old who then wrapped him up and took him to the Macassar Community Health Centre. The infant was later transferred to the Tygerberg hospital. Laticia Pienaar, the hospital’s spokesperson, reports that the baby is in stable condition, going on to say that the knife did not hit any vital structures in the neck. The mother is to appear in the Somerset West Magistrate Court on August 2 on attempted murder charges.

News24

n July 22, UCT withdrew their invitation of Flemming Rose as a speaker for the TB Davie Academic Freedom Lecture. A statement, sent via e-mail, explaining the decision was sent by Vice Chancellor Max Price on behalf of the UCT Executive and one from the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC). Flemming Rose is a Danish journalist and author currently working for JyllandsPosten, a Danish newspaper, as a foreign affairs editor.

According to the AFC, the TB Davie Memorial Lecture ‘is a flagship event that celebrates academic freedom and freedom of speech through highlighting the work and thought of those who defend these freedoms.’ Mr. Rose’s ideals of freedom of speech resonated with the objectives of the TB Davie Memorial Lecture, which led the AFC to issue an invitation to Mr. Rose in March, 2015 to speak at the TB Davie Memorial Lecture at UCT in August 2016.

The AFC included the following justification for Mr. Rose’s invitation, ‘At that time, religious tolerance and the threats

to education, free thought and free speech, and issues pertaining to visual representation, were prominent in our deliberations. Mr Rose was chosen as an eminently qualified candidate to speak on those matters.’

According to the UCT Executive letter: ‘When the Special Executive Task Team (SETT) became aware of the invitation to Mr Rose, it immediately raised concerns about the consequences of the invitation in our current context. As a result, the matter was extensively discussed within the UCT Council Executive and UCT Council, and has been the subject of considered consultation more widely within the University, and within the Muslim community of Cape Town.’

The UCT Executive, with the concurrence of the Council Executive Committee, has decided that ‘it would be extremely unwise to proceed with the address by Mr. Flemming Rose at this time.’

The email is vague on the specifics about the ‘context’ and ‘risk.’ Considering recent endeavours of transformation and inclusivity within the UCT campus community, having a controversial

figure like Mr. Rose hosted by UCT and linked to Islamophobia could potentially be counterproductive. Outlined concerns of counter-productivity include: provoking conflict on campus, the security risks of presenting the lecture, and the speaker may hinder the advancement of academic freedom on campus.

The UCT executive also emphasises its appreciation of academic freedom through the Vice Chancellor’s address stating the following: ‘Let me start by affirming our commitment to the right to academic freedom and freedom of expression as enshrined in the South African Constitution. As an educational institution of higher learning we view these rights as fundamental and a cornerstone of our institutional culture. Like all fundamental rights, however, the right to academic freedom is not unlimited.’

The AFC complied with the UCT Executive, adding. ‘We regret the Executive’s decision and what it reveals about the limited scope of academic freedom at UCT. Ours should be a campus on which people are free to express and contest ideas, even unpopular ones.’

UCT claims to be avid supporters of academic freedom and freedom of expression, but this is not without boundaries. Mr. Rose is seen as one of these boundaries on account of the potential disruption and violent protest his visit might cause. Security and a safe environment for students is an uncompromised priority.

The controversy around Rose is due to a series of cartoons depicted the Prophet Muhammed published in Jyllands-Posten in 2005. These cartoons brought them under global scrutiny concerning freedom of expression at the expense of the Muslim community in Denmark.

Mr. Rose was in support of the publication of the cartoons, providing an elaborate explanation through his book called ‘The Tyranny of Silence.’

He justifies the cartoons, stating it was his way of challenging the limitations to freedom of speech in the 21st century.

This caused the controversy which resulted in nationwide protests in Denmark against what was interpreted as blasphemy and Islamophobia in the Danish Muslim community.

The UCT media liaison was unavailable for comment at the time of going to print. Information about a replacement speaker or alternative plans is currently unavailable.

have budgeted for a once-off capital expenditure of R40 million from our reserves and an annual recurrent operational cost of approximately R68 million.’ Price also noted ‘the key driver of our current austerity measures has been the declining level of the state subsidy allocation to UCT over the past five years.’ This was over and above the moratorium on fee levels for 2016.

The austerity measures have forced UCT to act more resourcefully and efficiently. The philosophy and politics departments in particular have downsized their paper consumption by providing readers and cases online, and some courses have provided students with printing credits instead.

UCT fundraisers have been successful in generating funding, and most of the money is directed at specific projects,

such as research and bursaries, that would otherwise not have been possible.

Earlier this year, Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, responded to an enquiry concerning university damages, saying that about R460 million worth of damage to property had been incurred during protests between October 2015 and May 2016 around the country. Parliament released a statement in June showing the costs for each of the 26 universities where damages occurred, including UCT with R3.2 million worth of damage that includes artwork, buildings and vehicles. There is as yet no clarity on how much of the damages will be recovered from insurance claims or from which university budget they would be recovered.

The Commission of Inquiry into

Higher Education Funding is expected to release its preliminary report on the feasibility of free education by midNovember. Universities may be forced to retrench staff and cut budgets if no sustainable solution is found. The CEO of Universities of South Africa (USA) Ahmed Bawa claims that universities will not survive without an increase in fees next year, and recommends that employed graduates contribute to current students. Nzimande also put forward a recommendation to increase the taxes of high-income individuals. However, economists have been critical, saying that South Africa’s small tax base ‘is already overburdened’ and that the state does not have the trust of its taxpayers.

UCT’s fees for 2017 will be ratified by Council in the last term, so a verdict can be expected around that time.

UCT Budget Cuts Jess Worsley

F Police break up AntiMugabe protest Riot police were called in on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 3, to disperse hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Harare, in opposition to President Robert Mugabe. The officers utilised tear gas and stick batons to disband the flag-wearing marchers as well as the unemployed graduates donning academic gowns. This protest is part of the #ThisFlag movement in response to Zimbabwe’s declining economy and the state’s plan to introduce bond notes.

News24

The Simpsons endorse Hilary Clinton In a brief video clip released by 20th Century Fox at the beginning of August, Marge and Homer Simpson of the long-running popular sitcom, the Simpsons, have agreed to lend Hilary Clinton their support in the upcoming elections. The video has Homer initially signaling his preference for Donald Trump, only for Marge to say: “If that’s your vote, I question whether I can ever be with you again.” Homer then replies: “And that’s how I became a Democrat.”

Americans are set to cast their votes on November 8.

BBC

ollowing the #FeesMustFall protests and the subsequent government decision to not increase fees for 2016, universities across the country have been under pressure to find financially viable ways to continue running efficiently. The planned fees increase of 10.5% was to account for the rising costs of required books, journals and equipment due to 6% inflation.

UCT’s total costs this year increased by 7.5%, while government subsides increased by only 3.5%, roughly R50 million short of the cost increase.

The Department of Higher Education and Training covered 85% of the deficit created by the 0% fee increase, while UCT has had to source 15% itself. Vice-Chancellor Max Price said in March this year that the bulk of UCT’s annual budget goes into staffing, and UCT plans to cut these costs by R100 million. This is ideally by relying on natural attrition of staff, such as incentivised early retirement and voluntary separation. The aim of the budget cuts is to keep UCT afloat without relying heavily on state contributions, as UCT is currently falling approximately R250 million short annually. Previously, UCT has compensated for this deficit by increasing fees above the rate inflation.

UCT’s budget for 2016 is able to recover all expenses while maintaining vital programmes, provided that some projects are suspended and the wage bill is cut, not by reducing salaries, but by deflating the annual salary increases. The decision to insource workers at UCT, following student protest action, has led to a greater strain on the budget. insourcing project strained the budget further.

According to a statement released by the Vice Chancellor Max Price, ‘We

Image: Jian Yi Song

News

Insourcing Follow-up Sue Nyamnjoh

O

n Tuesday, August 2, a meeting was held between UCT management and retrenched workers in Baxter Hall Residence to negotiate the terms of bringing the retrenched Metro Cleaning Services back under UCT’s employment.

Professor Francis Peterson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Institutional Innovation, addressed the concerns of the workers. He explained why they were not insourced in the first place and outlined the terms of the new contract that UCT is willing to offer the workers. The laid-off Metro workers will be holding a public assembly on August 16 on Jameson Plaza to enable further public discussion on the matter.

At the beginning of July, UCT insourced 972 workers previously outsourced by TurfWorks, G4S, Sibanye, Metro Cleaning Services and Supercare. While some students viewed this as a step in the right direction, several students at the meeting did not see it this way, because the insourcing deal is not all-inclusive.

About 40 workers from Metro Cleaning Services are now jobless as a result of the insourcing agreement.

They were assured by their representatives from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) that this would not be the result.

Professor Peterson stated that prior to the insourcing agreement the retrenched workers were contracted to work for Metro not as permanent workers, but rather as casual or temporary employees, citing this as the reason for retrenchment.

Therefore, they could not be part of the same insourcing agreement reserved for the permanent workers

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 3

from the outsourcing companies.

Athabile Nonxuba, PanAfricanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA) Chairperson and member of Rhodes Must Fall, served as an interpreter and mediator during the meeting. He did not see the validity of the reasons against the casuals being insourced, calling them mere technicalities, saying they obscured the main cause they were fighting for – insourcing for all. This was reiterated by fellow student and Alan Gray scholar, Sinoxolo Boyi, who said that workers were being retrenched on account of bureaucracy.

UCT offered the retrenched workers a ‘zero-based contract’, meaning they would be contracted and paid on an hourly basis at a potentially higher rate than what was offered by Metro. UCT workers would also be offered ‘provident fund, leave benefits and tuition fee waiver for the staff members and their immediate family members,’ according to Elijah Moholola, UCT’s head media liaison.

retrenched on account of bureacracy

Many of the workers had various concerns about this contract. These included how long it would take, what would happen during the school holidays, what their salary would be and whether they would be given priority in the event a vacancy opened up for one of permanent insourced positions.

Brian Kamanzi, a Masters student and member of RMF, emphasised that ‘total and consistent insourcing [was] the end goal and something that UCT could afford, given that

the Vice Chancellor’s yearly salary was two million rand.’

UCT responded to this, saying that the implemented austerity measures were serious. Prof Peterson resolved to go back to the drawing board and return with a more thought-out contract. UCT management agreed to meet once more with the workers on August 18 to go over a more detailed version of the agreement.

The C3 workers are also not satisfied with the negotiation process that took place during the insourcing agreement. Many of them have been working at UCT residences since

2008, initially for Royal Caterers and then Fedics. NEHAWU informed them that C3 will continue to deliver food and equipment, but that they would prepare and serve the food under UCT employment. This agreement was to be put in effect on July 1, however they are still being paid C3 wages and are currently receiving no benefits. NEHAWU continues to promise that they will be insourced and their UCT wages will be backdated by September.

C3 workers have complained that they are often kept in the dark about the outcome of the meetings between NEHAWU and UCT

Image: Je’nine May

management and receive limited feedback. ‘We know nothing’ said one of the workers, upset about the way the situation was being handled. ‘Nothing is on paper,’ said another. Many of the casual workers are unsure of their fate in light of what happened to the casual Metro workers, despite several assurances from NEHAWU. When asked what they wanted out of an insourcing agreement, many of the interviewed workers agreed that they wanted more job security and permanence.

This is especially important to the casual workers.

Continued from page 1: Possible 2017 fee increase ...now get in solidarity behind a single call around free education.’

Thus far there is no confirmation to the claim regarding an increase in fees for next year and many universities have said that decisions regarding 2017 fees have not yet been finalised. Elijah Moholola, media liaison for UCT, stated that no conclusion could be drawn regarding the fees for 2017. Moholola said, ‘The University of Cape Town is currently engaged in ongoing deliberations over the 2017 fees.

These deliberations are also taking place at the level of the government and with other role-players in the higher education sector. It is therefore premature to comment on fees for 2017 at this stage.’

Furthermore, Moholola noted that ‘The University will continue to engage with the SRC and student organisations on a number of issues that have been raised by the students, including discussions on fee increases for 2017.’

A third year student studying Organisational Psychology in

the Humanities department, who wished to remain anonymous, felt that the meeting was ‘pointless’, as it had already been established that students were not going to accept a fee increment for 2017.

Furthermore, she felt that the plan of how free education could be achieved should have been discussed in more depth and the worker-student alliance pertaining to insourcing was completely neglected throughout the meeting.

resolute behind the call to attain free, and some say decolonial, education.’

we won’t be able to mobilise In September 2015, #Feesmustfall protests for a 0% increase, free tertiary education and insourcing by students all around South Africa led the

majority of universities to shut down. As a result, President Jacob Zuma announced a 0% increase in tuition fees at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for 2016 on October 23, 2015. This resulted in the protests largely dying down and a shift of focus by the protestors towards the insourcing demands.

Along with the decision not to increase fees, President Zuma also established the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education Funding in order to explore the viability of free education in South

a shift of focus by the protestors

Moseli noted, ‘If students continue to be splintered, we won’t be able to mobilise. Students won’t be protected from any kind of action and repression from the state or from the institution and we will actually set ourselves back, so I think right now, more than ever before, we need to be

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Africa. The deadline for this task was initially set for August of this year, however the Presidency has now given the Commission until June 30, 2017 to complete the task.

A preliminary report should be released by November 15 this year.

In response to the extended deadline for the Commission report, the UCT SRC tweeted ‘We want #ZeroPercent until the President & his Commission report back to us on when #FeesMustFall.

They want an extension? We want an extension.’

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Editorial

9 August 2016 | V75 E 7 | Page 4

2016 Collective EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Aisha Abdool Karim editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Editor-in-Chief

Aisha Abdool Karim

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 Rachelle Immelman, Michaela Pillay NEWS Sue Nyamnjoh and Zoe Postman 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 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS Claire Millward socialmedia@varsitynewspaper. co.za DESIGN Mari Mombers design@varsitynewspaper.co.za VIDEOGRAPHER Rachel Sherwen video@varsitynewspaper.co.za CENTRESPREAD EDITOR Ashley Seymour centrespread@varsitynewspaper. co.za WEB EDITOR Nikhil Gilbert and Saajidah Gafoor web@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE CONTENT EDITOR Zanele Kabane online@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE CHIEF SUBBER Daniela Savoia ONLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT Robyn Ausmeier onlinenews@varsitynewspaper. co.za ONLINE OPINIONS CORRESPONDENT Claudia Harrison onlineopinions@varsitynewspaper. co.za ONLINE FEATURES CORRESPONDENT Anthea van den Bergh onlinefeatures@varsitynewspaper. co.za

T

he ‘youth’, as we have so generically been classified, are often described as being apathetic.

I’m not really sure what that means, perhaps it is a nice way of adults trying to say that we are so spoilt and pampered that we no longer care about anything in particular. This argument often rears its head during the election period, as we young people seldom seem to be bothered with engaging in political discourse.

I, however, do not believe that this is the case. I do not think that the ‘youth’ of today is apathetic and uncaring to the point where it can be

written of as mere laziness. I think we just happened to be engaged in political discourse in a slightly alternative manner. We just happen to think in a slightly different way than those of previous generations.

It’s not like we had to battle for our right to vote, so if that is our only way of measuring someone’s passion towards politics and engagement we seemed to be out of luck.

Instead, I believe that we find ourselves on a different path of trying to situate where we fit into the new political landscape of democratic South Africa and how we ‘born-frees’ should enter into this space. I was able to vote for the first time in the national elections in 2014. Feeling the kind of optimism that comes before you hit 20 years old, I couldn’t have been more excited to cast my vote. I remember spending weeks beforehand going through different manifestos for each party in order to figure out which one I believed in the most. However, by the time I was actually standing in line to vote for the first time, I couldn’t say I felt a particularly strong alliance to any party.

Apathetic Youth?

I knew I wanted to vote, I felt it was a necessary right to exercise given all my parents had done in order for me to have it. But at the end of the day, when I put my ballot in the box, I didn’t feel like I had done my vote justice. This is feeling that was similarly echoed when I voted for the second time in the recent municipal elections.

I value my vote, I appreciate that I have the ability to do so, however I feel so greatly disillusioned with politics and politicians that it is hard for the action to hold any great meaning to me. I won’t generalise and assume that my beliefs are held by other students or people my age, but I believe that what has been termed as apathy is more linked to disillusionment than a sense of uncaring.

a group of apathetic youngsters

I find it much more likely to believe that students do not feel

Vertically Challenged I

remember the first time I travelled on a plane by myself.

Despite the nervous energy pulsating through my veins, everything around me was running smoothly: I checked in on time, my luggage was the correct weight and most delightfully, I didn’t have to place my hand-luggage in the overhead compartment. Life was grand and the view from my window seat would match this sentiment.

No sir, it’s my alter ego

‘Welcome passengers, to flight JE337 to Cape Town,’ floated an eloquent voice from the PA system. ‘This is going well,’ I thought. Well, that was until a chirpy flight attendant showed up and told me I had to place my bag in the dreaded overhead compartment. For the

average human, this doesn’t sound like much of an issue, however, for me this was my worst nightmare.

being little has its upsides I’m what you’d call ‘vertically challenged,’ you know, short. So imagine my five foot one, 158 centimetre self, trying to stuff a bag in a compartment far above any heights I will ever reach in life (insert bleak future). Sadly, this is but one of the struggles faced by people of my stature on a daily basis.

First of all, our miniature legs carry us at ‘less-than-your-stride kilometres per hour,’ so don’t assume we’re walking slowly, we’re trying our best. This doesn’t help in the post lecture rush when everyone is merrily pushing you out of the way because one: they

a strong sense of attachment to a particular party and have lost faith in our system as it currently stands.

I have seen students protesting for weeks, having mass meetings, marches, sit-ins, formulating demands, etc. in order to fight for a cause they believe in. We are no stranger to student protest action and have become overly familiar, over the course of the past year, with the passion students are able to demonstrate.

This passion and determination is not something that would be so abundant in a group of apathetic youngsters. It is important that we don’t let others determine how we feel or speak for us, so far be it for me to be hypocritical enough to do just that. Rather than being defined as apathetic or disillusioned or whatever other term that gets thrown your way, you should figure out how to navigate the space you are now in. We have the ability to shape our current political environment, whether it is on a small scale – such as SRC elections – or on the scale of influencing our ruling party.

You have that power and it’s your decision how you choose to use it.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sandisiwe (Yogi) Shoba

can’t see you or two: those damn miniature legs.

Don’t get me started on the fact that EVERYBODY has to point out your ‘shortcoming.’ ‘You’re so little!’ They say. ‘And so?’ I snarkily think, but would never say. They then lovingly place their elbow on your forehead. So sweet. The worst is when you’re trying to get past a bouncer at the club. Everyone else get a free pass, but no, they have to ask you for your ID. The bouncer then checks your document and patronisingly asks ‘Is this you?’ No sir, it’s my alter ego, Nicole…

dreaded overhead compartment The funniest part is the subliminal desire to be taller.

This tends to come out in my taste in men. Many of my crushes have been these sky-scraper tall, Redwood sized, Kareem Abdul

Jabbar giant fellows who’d likely step on me before ever considering asking me out on a date.

But don’t get me wrong, being little has its upsides. I will likely look fifteen until I’m 60 years old and I’m that one friend who can break into your house when you’ve locked your keys inside. So despite the saucy rant regarding my size, being vertically challenged ain’t so bad.

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OPINIONS A Building by Any Other Name Jemima Lewin

I

t came as no surprise when the announcement was made that UCT would embark on what many have deemed a historical process.

The university community has an opportunity to impact on the renaming of campus landmarks and buildings. Every UCT student, alumnus and staff member can submit suggestions and participate in this process by giving their views about certain buildings keeping or changing their names. Additionally, suggestions about possible substitute names can be made. The renaming process will expose whether UCT is working towards a more (or less) inclusive environment.

The decision to change various buildings’ names was a result of last year’s decision to remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes. It became apparent that the university had to evaluate the individuals honoured through the names of campus buildings, and subsequently what these people represented. A task team, dedicated to the naming of buildings, rooms, spaces and roads, was created in 2015 by the UCT council. Since then, the task team has made strides and has reached a point where it is accepting ideas for the renaming process.

Many buildings came under scrutiny, at the forefront of these being Jameson Memorial Hall.

Considering the contentious reputation that Sir Leander Starr Jameson left behind, the honour bestowed on his legacy by having a significant building named after him becomes questionable. This is an issue throughout South Africa: buildings, statues and landmarks honouring people that were not honourable themselves.

Crucial that the people participating are diverse

This is as a result of the historical narrative of South Africa. From colonial rule under the British to Soviet influence, there is a legacy still present. This legacy is one of prejudice and exclusivity. It is difficult to think of historical figures loved by all, but what becomes important then is to recognise the urgency of diversity.

Within this process, it is crucial that the people participating are diverse, as many differing views must be heard before a decision is made. There must be people of various races suggesting names.

Diversity in gender and sexuality

has to be present in the process as well. The name changes will have a great impact on the inclusivity of the university as well as symbolizing the democratic society and ideals that UCT advocates today.

Suggest the removals of names that you feel should not be honoured by the university.

The names suggested should be individuals known for their historic role in the university as well as in society. For example, many have already suggested honouring our late president, Nelson Mandela, through naming a building after him. Another suggestion could be the name of Harold Cressy, the first coloured person to gain a degree in South Africa. One could even suggest names that represent certain ideals that you feel UCT should, but presently, does not stand for.

The renaming process will signify a cutting of ties with a discriminatory history that left out important people and events.

It also signifies the university making a concerted effort to move towards a more inclusive space that acknowledges and respects every culture and history. The renaming of these buildings capture the transformation that not only the university is undergoing but the transformation of all those connected to it.

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 5 Opinions Editor

An Adamant View

Adam Kleinschmidt

A Political Litmus Test B

y the time this article is published, the political landscape of South Africa will have shifted. As I write this, the first results are filtering in and the realities of the tenth major electoral period since the end of apartheid. The 2016 local elections have been analysed, picked apart and examined by all and sundry.

I’m not here to repeat what you might see on the Daily Maverick or News24: rather, I would hope to speak a bit about the way this election is indicative of a change among the youth of today and what needs to change in the way our generation engages in politics.

Our youth and our political energy is valuable

Image: Ali Findlay

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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

I’ve often preached from this little orange box I’ve got every two weeks about how UCT students are largely apathetic and don’t really make waves as much as they should and can. I have a firm belief – strongly supported by the various incidences of student political prowess and activism – that our generation could be a strong contributor towards a good future for our country. I don’t know what that future is, but at the same time that’s another reason to have hope.

Our youth and our political energy is incredibly valuable, and our participation in this election – or lack thereof – was highly indicative of a number of issues.

For starters, the role of youth leaders is something that has seen some prominence, particularly among the more partisan students.

Numerous students have been heavily involved in campaigns, candidacies and the sort both here in Cape Town and in Stellenbosch.

the role of youth leaders

However, is this enough for us to be optimistic about the future?

This election also marked an important part of our history as

we finally begin to actively deal with the numerous hangovers of apartheid, unfair elitist supremacy and government inaction. Both in Cape Town and across the nation, voters have begun to challenge the status quo and the political elites that have held a stranglehold over our political landscape. I don’t just mean a growth for opposition parties and a breakaway from the party in power – whatever that is in your area – but also how the narrative of politics has changed. People of all descriptions, most importantly those who have been at the bottom of the pyramid, have begun to reject the norms that have strangled them for decades.

What does this mean?

Specifically, for the younger voters in our little republic, it means we are beginning to throw light onto the intersectional problems that were previously ignored, and making it a mission to combat these issues. Despite my own political interest, it took until a year and a half ago to truly engage with the privilege attached to my gender, my sex, my home language and my race. How does this help?

Speaking again from personal perspective, it allows me to make a more meaningful contribution towards understanding these social ills and knowing my place when it comes to dealing with institutional racism, for example.

I become a more informed voter

How does this relate to the election? By knowing about these issues, I become a more informed voter, someone who will be able to dig through the populism, rhetoric and waffle to see who will actually be able to provide good governance and actually tackle the fact that, for example, thousands of people in the city I live in don’t have proper access to basic services. It helps me to challenge people who refuse to engage meaningfully with bad government, which is a pretty good thing, wouldn’t you say?

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 6

OPINIONS

Don’t Look at Me Like I’m Candy Tanya Magaisa

T

he business of men is the business of privilege. The business of men is the business of power. In South Africa the definition of sexual harassment is linked intrinsically with our Constitution, the objective of achieving substantive equality and protecting the inherent dignity of every individual under our nations’ sun.

Forgive my introduction because I am not so naïve as to believe that women cannot be perpetrators of sexual harassment.

The 1994 film ‘Disclosure’ depicted a role reversal, where the man says no. He too, also means no. But there must be honesty when we discuss trouble. Our historically patriarchal and sexist society has left women very vulnerable. I mean a tangible vulnerability that has forced judges to develop laws that deliberately subjugate women in order for them to be consistent with our Constitution.

In a given space, sexual attention can be deemed appropriate, and in the workplace there are times when love has blossomed, consensually.

But let us be reasonable about the workplace, a professional environment where such behaviour is not expected, should not be tolerated and has the very real consequence of infringing on a person’s right to inherent dignity and the protection thereof; a hostile working environment, hindering the achievement of substantive equality.

When such behaviour has these consequences, that behaviour is sexual harassment. For many of us, UCT doesn’t seem much like a work environment, we forget that.

It’s more like a social setting with a lecture here and a tutorial there, so sexual attention seems no problem.

Well at least no problem amongst students. When we get to lecturers and tutors, then things begin to blur

for some people. For me it’s very black and white, but I’ll be generous so as not to be biased in my opinion.

Consenting, legal adults, but also superiors in a work environment: how do we draw that line, distinguish between harmless sexual attraction and harmful sexual harassment.

When conduct of others causes you to feel uncomfortable, when it’s unwelcome and you deem it inappropriate, such conduct will constitute harassment. When the conduct is of a sexual nature, it is sexual harassment. Your colleague, be it a superior or not, should not be giving you any kind of attention excepting what is conducive to your duty, whether that duty is getting an education or performing a work task. In instances like this, it is often women who are most vulnerable.

Judge Savage, in a court case regarding sexual harassment stated, so I paraphrase: the nature of our society has given men a significant power over women, and when a man uses such power to exploit a woman no court of law can pass this over as mere misdirected sexual attention.

To a man, a woman’s discomfort is an indicator of her immaturity and her lack of rationality, and this perspective leaves a woman silenced, for fear that raising a concern will lead to denigration of her character. This is the kind of power differential that led J. Savage to argue that to distinguish between sexual harassment and sexual attention would be to undermine the very goals of our transformative Constitution and to deprive women of their right to equality, to be treated equally within the work environment and to have their inherent dignity protected. So whether it is a lecturer, tutor or a classmate, if at any point the conduct is inappropriate, voice your concern rather than suffer silently.

Image: Tanya Magaisa

What Even Is That Building?

Jarita Kassen

A

new building has graced Upper Campus with its

Image: Mari Mombers

presence. Located opposite South Stop is the state of the art auditorium lecture theatre, forming part of the EBE faculty. The New Lecture

Theatre cost around R62 million to build. One wonders, with all the austerity measures UCT has put in place, where in the hierarchy of priority did this grand slam of architectural extravagance fall?

The New Lecture Theatre does have a few added benefits compared to its older counterparts, allowing one to charge one’s laptop and cell phone (which might be exhausted thanks to Pokémon Go) during a lecture. The cushioned seats make lectures in this venue particularly enjoyable. The exterior is even more impressive, showing off the architectural prowess in the best way.

The exorbitant amount spent on this building has many questioning the logic of UCT when spending money. A R62 million donation would have been helpful in light of the state’s need for the 6 % fee increment. This building was not built for its beauty and convenient features; it is supposed to serve as a ‘much-needed social space and a gateway to the southern end of Campus’, as quoted from the UCT

website, perhaps not the best reason to justify the amount of money spent on the building. Although the new building does make meeting with friends more convenient on rainy days, I doubt that most UCT students choose to come to university because of the great social spaces.

The other purpose of the building is to attend to an ‘urgent need identified for a lecture venue to accommodate courses with large enrolments, without the need to split the courses’. I do not see any benefits of this to students, as a split means there is more than one time to attend a lecture, which allows for more flexibility. The lecturer is probably the only party benefitting from this ‘non-split’ opportunity. In the context of a university, a place of learning, there are no inherent benefits, which could justify the massive amount spent on this building. I believe that funds could have been used in a more beneficial, constructive way, which propagates learning, the prime purpose of an institution like UCT.

Alternate and arguably better ways to use the money would be to fund more students from underprivileged communities in the Western Cape. It is a well-known fact the majority of South Africans cannot afford university fees, hence the Fees Must Fall movement.

Another option could have been to increase access to the university, ensuring more lecture venues have the facilities to record lectures or making the existing buildings more welcoming and convenient for disabled students. Alternatively, the university could have used the money to invest in more literature and journals which are muchneeded for all students. The funds could also have been used to combat the budget cuts we are currently incurring, which pose a threat to the learning process at UCT. This building is a manifestation of the overwhelming sense of privilege that surrounds UCT. Smells like a nauseating melange of capitalism and bureaucracy to me.

OPINIONS

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 7

Playing the Numbers Game Filipp Stoliarov

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ost statistics are made-up with insufficient evidence to support their findings. I made up that last sentence, and yet it is no less valid or factual. For any entity to survive in the 21st century, it has to measure itself or its advantages by numerical values and contrast or compare it against another. There isn't an organisation, corporate giant, political party or media outlet that hasn't incorporated the factual façade of self-funded or privately researched statistics.

More importantly, we demand those statistics in order to justify our actions, ideologies and motivations.

Our dependence on numerical data becomes all the more concerning when one sees how easily that data can be manipulated to support any argument or agenda. Let me show you what I mean.

Most statistics are made up

We all agree that employment for the youth is vital. We all agree that forced conscription infringes on our constitutional rights. However, if you had to position an audience to support conscription, you would release a survey that states, ‘Would

you agree that youth unemployment is a problem which the government should address with every possible strategy?’ If the majority of people support or agree with that question, then your end result is a headline that could read, ‘South African Citizens Support Conscription!’

You'll say that the survey question is ambiguous and that it doesn't specify conscription as a solution. That's not the point though, if you agree that youth employment is vital and that government should be responsible for addressing it, you're indirectly supporting any action they take to address the issue.

Data can be manipulated

In a more immediate scenario, especially with the recent local elections, new-found statistics become all the more nuanced and problematic. Polls and surveys are thrown out to the public eye informing us of which party has X amount of support in certain regions.

They then specify the number of people having submitted responses to the poll or survey and you feel a sense of calm, outrage or panic depending on your party preference.

However, these polls are in no way an accurate reflection of national demographics and their outlooks.

Image: Gene Han For the most part they are simply a rough estimation based on a small scale survey with participants being anyone who is willing to submit information.

The problem becomes that there is false momentum generated and it is based on articles and entities, which use those aforementioned estimates as tried and tested facts.

You'll see headlines stating how half of party X's support has dropped or that 35% of people won't vote for party Y. This sends a message to the people of how they should conduct themselves simply based on the power of numerical data; more is bad, less is good or vice versa.

It is imperative that we understand the misleading nature

Nadia Ghumra

to have to sit awkwardly, completely disregarding the fact that that person is also in an awkward position.

Skinny privilege doesn’t end there. It also extends to the way we talk about body image amongst ourselves and through media and other corporations such as fashion houses. Take for example the recent Woolworths mannequin uproar.

Social media was abuzz when mannequins that were too skinny and lanky were placed on display in the store because they did not embody a normal human figure.

Customers complained they give a false impression of how the clothes look because the mannequins cannot represent an authentic human figure.

I personally find issue with the term skinny privilege because I find it hard to define. Everyone has their own understanding and definitions of what skinny or fat is. To one person, falling under the umbrella of having skinny privilege may mean they are not overweight or obese, but to another it means you would have to be as thin as the Woolworths mannequins. Body shaming is a common topic which makes it hard to label people as something they don’t see themselves as.

Buying into the idea of skinny privilege, considering it may be deemed a frivolous social justice issue just piled on for comic effect, is difficult because we shouldn’t be imposing beauty or body standards on people. The way we approach discussions on health should be reconsidered because not everyone asked for the image they have.

Freedom, with a Catch Skinny Abdud-Dayyaan Badroodien

J

ust less than thirty years ago, at the height of apartheid, the University of Cape Town invited an Irish academic Conor Cruise O’Brien to provide a series of Political Studies lectures in South Africa. The key problem at the time was that September 1986 was also the height of the academic boycott movement in South Africa. Conor Cruise O’Brien was not only willing to violate the academic boycott but also to criticise those that sought to stop his right to ‘freedom of speech.’

Despite stern and widespread opposition to his visit, UCT chose to honour his invitation.

In subsequent weeks, students disrupted his lectures and set forth a series of confrontations with the university administration. At the time, Vice-Chancellor Stuart Saunders responded to the crisis by blaming students for the confrontation, and claiming that their ‘violent’ response was a clear affront to the concept of freedom of speech.

Thirty years later, the university recently issued a similar invitation to Danish journalist, Flemming Rose. Ironically, his brief was to deliver the 2016 TB Davie Academic Freedom lecture. The key problem this time around is that Rose is the controversial Foreign Affairs editor of the Danish Newspaper ‘JeyllanPolands’ which blasphemed Islam in 2005 via cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him).

He is disparaged worldwide for his racist and Islamophobic rhetoric and using his supposed right to

free speech to justify his statements.

Faced with the possibility of similar opposition, UCT has subsequently rescinded its invitation to Rose, bizarrely claiming fear of retaliation from students and the surrounding Muslim community.

The parallels between the above two events are quite uncanny. In the O’Brien controversy, UCT had been fully prepared to disregard the concerns of anti-apartheid activists in order to defend its right to the freedom of speech and academic freedom, but cancelled Fleming’s visit, citing student and community violence.

True to its liberal form, our university now claims that it only deviated from this decision because of the supposed threat of community violence. It would seem that, whether now or in 1986, this dominant narrative of white liberal intolerance remains a fundamental and inescapable part of institutional thinking.

The controversy prompts some fairly big questions: why did UCT’s academic freedom committee invite Mr Rose in the first place? What does it mean when this institution speaks about academic freedom?

Are its rights more important than that of the larger community? Were student and community concerns about Mr Rose’s presence on campus not legitimate and valid? More importantly, does opposition to a liberal concept of freedom of speech constitute violence? In the aftermath of its decision to rescind its invitation to Mr Rose, has UCT’s position not once again revealed UCT’s very soft underbelly of liberal bigotry?

I

n today’s world, there is such a volume of politically correct phrases that are being brought to the table for discussion, they seem to be spilling onto the floor and forcing everyone to tip toe around them cautiously. Skinny privilege, a term that I have just picked up from varsity’s round table, is a term that would never have occurred to me as a real thing. The idea around skinny privilege is those who fall out of the typical range of thin are not considered when it comes to everyday things.

For instance, can one say that the seating in lecture theatres or tutorial venues is designed with a certain body type in mind and does not accommodate for larger people?

I would agree there are certain venues, for example in AC Jordan, where twenty or more students are squashed into a tiny room, making it unbearable because our personal space is invaded. But I haven’t actually considered there are people who would find the situation more uncomfortable because of their size.

Perhaps this is because I have been living a life of skinny privilege without even knowing it, and I’m sure a lot of others have too. Being slightly more aware, I have noticed people tend to shy away from their bigger counterparts, especially on the Jammie busses. They overlook the empty seat next to a large person, even if there aren’t any more seats available, because they don’t want

of most statistics and more broadly, the inflated power of numerical data. Until we have a regulated and monitored system of tracking each citizen's preferences, a system that would be on par with Big Brother, then any argument which references a poll or survey to support itself is as flawed as this article’s opening line.

Privilege

Image: Quinn Dombrowski

By Ashley Seymour

A guide to UCT students

Nerds

Try Hards

The Chynas

What typically seems like hard graft to your average student is a nerd’s idea of a Saturday afternoon turn up. You’ll usually find them roaming the halls of the Maths and Science buildings, looking to get another hit of coffee before returning to their books for a riveting chapter on thermodynamics.

They’re usually doing an obscurely difficult degree program, such as Astrophysics, Mechanical Engineering or Actuarial Science and so will hardly be found outside the confines of campus. Nerds tend to stick in groups and can most easily be identified by the dark rings under their eyes.

Their notes are colour-coded, they have a neverending supply of pens to lend you and they’ll be the first to volunteer in any group project. You’ll recognise them intially by their hand, being the only one in the air to answer the lecturers question. These students typically have a masochistic approach to their studies, piling on additional portfolios in InvestSoc for the sake of their pristine CVs. Apart from lectures, you will not see a try hard unless you too have a deep affection for the hidden corners of the library. However, if you do manage to befriend one of these future hedge fund managers, you will be set with notes for the rest of your life, a university student’s dream.

One of the more boisterous groups from UCT, the Chyna, is typically found laughing loudly at the back of a commerce lecture with his fellow chyna-pack. These ‘okes’ communicate in a completely different tongue, casually dropping inside slang and expecting a non-chyna to understand it perfectly. For example, ‘Ja bru, I’m gonna hit Tyga tonight, just for the bants, ya know?’

When Chynas are not disrupting lectures and tutorials, you’ll find them staring intently into a gym mirror, working on some elusive ‘gains’, which apparently never truly take form.

Club Geeks First Years

You, mere human, could not possibly understand the significance of the Harry Potter Appreciation Society, but club geeks do. With a religious application to routine, club geeks will meet up regularily to partake in their favourite activity. They’ll talk about it at parties, they’ll explain why it’s The Best Society at UCT, and then before you know it, you’ve been converted to a member of the Renaissance Art Drawing Club. Club These geeks are hard to befriend unless you make it into their inner circle, which maybe is simply for the better. However, being a club geek can be extremely rewarding, as the tight knit nature of the group allows for strong friendships to form over a shared interest.

Hippies Why, oh why, are hippies so averse to shoes?

You’ll watch them cross Jammie Plaza in awe at their bravery and courage in the face of boot season. They seem to have a constant supply of baggy clothes and are all about saving the dolphins. You’ll see them waiting in line at Higher Taste; the perfect solution to their vegetarian sensibilities. Hippies turn away from all forms of consumerism and have a strong love for the words ‘organic’, ‘fair trade’ and ‘gluten-free’. Befriending a hippie is relatively easy, simply compliment them on their thriving reggae fusion band that plays in Obz on Thursdays, and you’re set.

The bright eyed, bushy tailed phenomenon manages to claim most new entrants into UCT. Complete with a lust for life and brand new Cotton On backpacks, these children will constantly ask you where the bathroom is. You’ll find them lounging on Jammie Steps when they should be in a tut or bragging about the eight distinctions they received in matric. A First Year can typically be identified at a Jammie Stop from asking, in by no means soft tones, ‘Does this bus go to lower?’ or why the Jammie has not adhered to the strict pick-up time of 15:45.

Party Animals

Beauty Queens While their flair for contouring is impressive, just looking at a beauty queen is exhausting. You will never see them without make-up on campus, and you’ll usually spot them milling around the Pandaland line to get their daily dose of chai tea. Beauty queens do not have to be too concerned about their courseload; they’ve already got a stable income from their beauty blog. Beauty Queens have a neverending supply of trendy sunglasses, tote bags and pashminas to complement their campus-chic look. To get in with a Beauty Queen and their squad, you’ll need to shamelessly swan into your tutorial, complaining that walking around on campus ruins your perfect ‘matte look’.

You will be lucky to find a Party Animal on campus. More often, they’ll be bunking their 8am tuts to nurse a hangover and will be the first to call you when tut hand-ins get rough. When they do manage to drag themselves to campus, you’ll find the smeared ink of the previous night’s club stamps on their wrist, like a badge of glory. Things for Party Animals are very ‘lit’ and they are always looking to get ‘nake’, as the lingo goes. They have a neverending supply of trendy sneakers and are always in the know about how to get onto the best guest lists in town.

Be warned, keeping up with a Party Animal not only comes at the expense of your brain cells, but also your DP.

Hipsters These individuals seem to have a endless supply of vintage clothes, which fit in perfectly at their weekly craft beer markets. You’ll typically find them bunking a Humanities lecture to focus on their ‘art’, while blogging about it incessantly on Instagram. Hipsters are sick of all their fellow students coming into Cape Town and ruining their night life, don’t you know they discovered Assembly first? However, hipsters are always down for a good longboarding session and if you’re willing to hurl yourself down public roads at speed, then this is your perfect in.

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 10

FEATURES

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: All’s Not Well ‘The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.’

Kudzi Manase

N

early ten years ago, these words brought the Harry Potter series to an emotional close.

Tears were shed, childhoods ended and something special inside every Harry Potter fan took its final breath.

Although the books and films were there for us to revisit as many times as we wished, knowing that we’d never go on any new adventures with Harry, Ron and Hermione left a painful mark.

Then on July 26, 2015, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was officially announced and Harry Potter fans all over the world could be heard celebrating.

All isn’t as well as we were led to believe

Although the story picks up where it left off, this technically isn’t the eighth novel; it’s a play based on the series. The book released on July 31 (Harry and Rowling’s birthday) is the script written by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. As early on as 2013, there were whispers of a stage production

based on Harry’s life pre-Hogwarts.

Somewhere along the way, it was decided the play would focus on the experiences of the wizards as adults instead, and if the plot is anything to go by, all isn’t as well as we were led to believe.

It all starts where the final book ended; nineteen years after The Battle of Hogwarts.

Now a ministry of magic employee and father of three, Harry must revisit his painful past while his younger son, Albus, grapples with the expectations forced onto the child of the Chosen One. Jamie Parker, Paul Thornley and Noma Dumezweni play Harry, Ron and Hermione. Dumezweni received the most attention as fans were, ‘concerned’ she didn’t resemble the Hermione portrayed on screen with some making openly racist comments. Rowling eventually tweeted that Hermione’s skin color was never specified and that she’d seen Noma workshop the part and was, ‘overjoyed’ when director John Tiffany cast her, as she understood the character excellently.

The Palace Theatre in London is the play’s current home. If you haven’t already got a ticket, it’s unlikely you will see the performance any time soon.

Your best bet is the Friday Forty, a lottery where forty tickets are released for the following week’s

performances. Tickets were in such high demand that seats famously reserved for the theatre ghosts were put on sale!

In keeping with tradition, bookshops all over the world hosted Harry Potter book release parties on the day. Exclusive Books at Canal Walk held its own, as did the Book Lounge on Roeland Street. People of all ages were present, wielding wands and appropriately dressed in Harry Potter attire.

Knowing I can once again follow the lives of characters that were so central to my childhood is beyond exhilarating. But I believe I speak for all Harry Potter fans when I say that the way the series ended nearly ten years ago, although much needed after all the chaos, was unrealistically warm and fuzzy. The sweetness is completely demolished in this story and the characters are forced to deal with the real life consequences of what happened. It is unlikely that Harry, the orphan raised in an abusive home and counted on to save an entire universe, would have become a well-adjusted adult. The horrors of war aren’t easily forgotten and, most importantly, the lives of those living directly under the shadow of the legendary Harry Potter can never be anything but, to say the least, difficult.

Image: Caroline Buckland

Who will be the first to catch ‘em all?

Caleb Mckellar.

Is Pokémon Go a new marketing opportunity?

Project Manager for InvestSoc.

T

he first thing I noticed on my return to campus this semester was the number of students playing Pokémon Go. I had taken three steps out the library when I heard someone scream to their friend they had found Mewtwo. Clearly, he was lying. The popularity of the Pokémon Go game has taken many by surprise. The app broke the record for the highest number of downloads during its launch week on the Apple App Store. The game has not officially launched in South Africa but this has not stopped keen fans of the game finding various ways of accessing it.

In Pokémon Go, players are given the option of joining one of three teams: Team Instinct (yellow), Team Valor (red) or Team Mystic (blue).

Once in a team, players compete to take over ‘Pokémon gyms.’ The game forces players to get up and scout their neighbourhood or campus in pursuit of that rare Pokémon or battle it out at a Pokémon gym.

But who is really capitalising on the game’s popularity? This literal and figurative movement presents a host of marketing opportunities for both small and large businesses. The increase in human traffic generated by a Pokéstop or a Pokémon Gym presents a number of marketing

opportunities for businesses.

Steers and Beerhouse are setting an example for others to follow, offering promotions which are based around the game. Slice Pizza on Kloof Street has taken advantage

of the number of Pokéstops in the area surrounding the restaurant.

The popular pizzeria asks players to screenshot their Player Level and share the screenshot on the restaurants’ Facebook page to claim

a reward. Slice offers a free 500 ml soda to players on level 10 and a free margherita slice to players on level 14. In a similar marketing strategy, RocoMamas offered players the chance to win a voucher by simply

sharing a picture of a Pokémon taken at your local RocoMamas store.

Even Cape Town Tourism is getting in on the action. Enver Duminy, chief executive officer of Cape Town Tourism, has urged local businesses to take advantage of the opportunities the game represents.

He has called on local businesses to use the game’s popularity by either setting up stations to entice players or organising meet-ups for players, all with the aim of drawing visitors to places they haven’t been before.

It was only a matter of time before a multi-national franchise got involved. McDonalds Japan became the first paying sponsor of Pokémon Go when the game launched in Japan towards the end of July. McDonalds has paid to have 3 000 of its outlets identified as ‘Gyms’ in the game.

Gyms are typically high-profile public places like the Company Gardens in the CBD, old churches or Middle Campus. The benefit for McDonalds is self-evident as players will converge on the fast food outlets to claim it as their own, and grab a well-deserved Big Mac while they’re at it.

It won’t be long before other businesses follow in the footsteps of MacDonalds Japan. Soon you will be using the Pokémon Go game to find the nearest restaurant or the hottest discount, all while catching Pokémon.

FEATURES

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 11

Basic Dos and Don’ts with Differently Abled Students Jessica Bothma

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ou may have seen various students on campus who are differently abled and wondered how you should behave around them.

Are you afraid of doing the wrong thing? No need to fear, I’m here to give you the basic dos and don’ts.

Do You Get Your Sex Ed from Pornhub?

The problems with porn as sex ed and why we need to talk more about them Duncan Robertson

H

ow did you first learn about what sex involves? If your answer is, ‘Good advice given by a knowledgeable, non-judgmental friend/relative/professional,’ then you are one of the fortunate few.

For most of us who grew up with internet access, the answer is obvious. It is not hard to see why, given that the usual alternatives are awkward conversations with relatives, whispered schoolyard discussions with similarly clueless friends, or tedious lectures by an inapproachable teacher.

Distorted, sometimes violently misogynistic portrayal of sexuality The internet certainly contains all of the sexual health information anyone could ever need, for people of all sexualities.

As GASP, we use a lot of these excellent resources in our high school workshops. But let’s face it, the average teen is a lot more likely to check out porn sites if given the opportunity. A 2008 South African study of 1 000 students aged 13 - 17, found that 67% had watched a porn film, with 45% reporting that they watch them regularly. With the proliferation of internet access and cell phone usage since then, it is likely to be significantly higher now.

I don’t want to sound alarmist though. Going through puberty always involves curiosity about bodies and sex; it just so happens that this curiosity is more satiable than ever for those with internet access. However, I do think that

porn’s fantasy worlds can provide a much distorted, sometimes violently misogynistic portrayal of sexuality.

While we do have some ability to tell fantasy from reality, I think the issues lie especially with those who have little to no understanding of the reality in the first place. This was certainly my experience, as a spotty teenage nerd growing up in a fairly conservative family.

We get many questions in our workshops that relate to porn, such as whether pubic hair is healthy and attractive and lots of confused (and sometimes hilarious) questions about sex acts which they obviously saw online. Moreover, we have found that there is a lot to learn that is rarely shown in porn, such as verbal consent, negotiating protection methods and communication during sex in general. For example, male condoms are used in only 10 to 20 % of straight and gay porn, yet their use is far more common in the real world. Given how crucial all of these factors are for a healthy and happy sex life, I think porn alone is wildly insufficient as sex education.

What if high school sex education didn’t sweep the discussion of porn under the rug, along with gay sex and everything else besides the patriarchal norm?

Imagine if it was normal to have open conversations about how porn relates to real sexual encounters, without attacking teens for using porn, but being open about its issues and distorted depictions of sex.

Dealing with serious pornrelated concerns, such as increasingly common addictions and other sexual health problems will not be possible until we can talk about it openly and honestly. We especially need sex education that helps teens through their journey of sexuality, without shaming them for where it takes them.

Image: Marcie Casas

Each one has their own preferences

Bear in mind that although there could be five students whizzing around in wheelchairs, each one has their own preferences. The tips given in this article are some of the most important points to remember. Generally speaking, you should feel free to ask each person about how they would like things to be. Speak to each differently abled person with respect and in the same way you would speak to anyone else.

Let’s start with deaf students because I am Deaf myself. UCT currently has about six Deaf students but each one experiences their hearing loss in varying degrees.

Some wear hearing aids or cochlear implants and some prefer not to

wear any aids. We define ourselves as Deaf with a capital ‘D’ because we are a minority cultural and linguistic group of South Africans, you may have seen us signing around campus.

General rules include speaking clearly so that we can see the words formed nicely on your mouth (yes, we tend to focus on your lips most of the time!). Always maintain eye contact during the conversation to indicate you are listening, avoid covering your mouth while speaking and if all else fails, write or text the message. It is considered rude to say, “never mind” to a Deaf person. If you want to learn how to say something in South African Sign Language, feel free to ask us.

There are many students on campus that move around in a wheelchair. Their biggest challenge is often accessing buildings, roads and events. The usual question is how one should stand around them. They don’t want you to break your back, so stand as you normally would or grab a nearby chair and chat. If you see them passing through, step aside to make space for them and ask if you can open doors to help. We know UCT has too many steps for a person to handle, but refrain from using the lift because it is needed by those who don’t have the option. Sometimes, the lifts are full of students that can use the stairs so please be

considerate. You may sometimes see a wheelchair user struggling to do something and it is acceptable to ask if they would like assistance. It’s not acceptable to just do something for them without asking. Don’t be offended if they decline your offer since they are usually capable of working things out.

Stutterers often face the challenge of speaking to people and one should avoid fidgeting with their phones or looking away when they are trying to speak to you. Patience is the key and there is value in the things they express. Depending on the person, one could sometimes suggest the word they are trying to say, but avoid finishing their sentences.

There are many students with a range of mental conditions. Be considerate with the words that you use in conversations because of the negative connotations that come with words like “retarded” or “mentally unstable”. It isn’t appropriate to use labels that insinuate instability, madness or a deficiency with any of the disability phrases that people tend to use. We are not disadvantaged by our own physical, mental or emotional state but rather the fact that society constructs this ideology that something is wrong with us.

Bottom line: be considerate and feel free to ask first.

Squad Goals?

The psychology of study groups and whether they really work Nicole Arends

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e all know the comforting sentiment of hearing the glorious words, “I also haven’t started the assignment.” There is always contentment in staring across the library floor at 2 A.M. and seeing a fellow coffee-pumped body that makes you want to bellow “WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER,” in typical High School Musical fashion. But when it comes to the nitty gritty of our academic careers, do study groups really help?

Studies have long shown that study groups can be a significant benefit to students. R. Keith Sawyer, a Ph.D. associate professor of education at Washington University, did an investigation and concluded that the effectiveness of study groups lies in the explaining and re-explaining of concepts. The study showed that when students make their own notes, explain concepts to each other and discuss topics of interest, they engage with the content on a far deeper level than when studying alone.

Major key alert (DJ Khaled, 2016) – to be successful you need to know how to use study groups effectively.

As with all things in life, the key is choosing wisely. Perhaps the most important factor that will determine the success of any study group, is the members. It is not always best to choose your closest friends for a study group. Let’s take a note from WhatsApp group chats – they may be filled with banter but they aren’t always effective.

It’s important to establish who you

can work well with in an academic environment and which methods work best for you. Whether you enjoy debating and lively interaction on topics, or solo studying followed by a 10 minute debrief with a group, you have to choose your team accordingly.

The way to establish a solid study group is a lot like learning to ride a bike. Don’t study in the middle of the road and of course – BALANCE. An efficient study group knows how to balance the strengths and weaknesses of the group members.

Some people are really good at making detailed notes, while others are better at explaining. Use this to your advantage to be able to build and improve on the skills you may be lacking.

Another good study group tip is to have a group moderator. The group moderator can help the group stay focused on the topic at hand and can also be in charge of arranging

meeting times, places and other logistics. It’s best to rotate this role, to avoid a dictatorial structure which could upset the group dynamics.

The three R’s are a good thing to remember when studying in a group: review, reflect, and revise.

Get members of the group to quiz one another and have each member reflect on the areas that prove challenging to them. Review and revise those components to get the most out of the group study sessions.

There are loads of perks to study groups, such as personalizing information and helping you target which exact topics you need help with. Of course, it isn’t for everyone and some people are solo studiers at heart. But don’t be afraid to ask for help or offer help in return. Let’s support each other in our struggle because, at the end of the day, we are all just university students standing in front of Max Price, asking him to cap us.

Image: Varsity 2015

FEATURES

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 12

Combatting Climate Change Safiyya Karim

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ontrary to Donald Trump’s belief, climate change is not a myth. Global warming is real and it is a serious problem – just watch Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” if you’re still not convinced.

Of all the continents, Africa is most susceptible to this rising

Drive less, carpool whenever you can and make more use of public transportation. By reducing your driving distance by 24 kilometres a week, you could eliminate up to 1 980 kgs of CO2 per year. Also, if you have to drive, do so slowly as this uses less fuel.

problem. According to the Global Policy Forum, this is largely due to the fact that it is home to most of the world’s poorest nations. The agriculture sector accounts for the livelihood of 70% of Africans, and so climate change will affect these people most. Faced with this sense of inevitable doom, what can we do to help our planet? Although most of the damage has been done, there

Instead of always using hot water to do the laundry, you can save about 800 kgs of CO2 just by using cold water to wash at least two loads of laundry a week.

Plant an indigenous tree at least once a year (Arbour week is between the 1st and 7th of September). One tree produces 118 kg of oxygen and one acre removes up to 2.6 tons of CO2 every year.

are many ways in which we can delay this ‘doomsday’ from arriving.

Animal agriculture is the leading contributor to global warming, water scarcity and deforestation. It is also responsible for 91% of Amazon destruction – one to two acres of the rainforest are destroyed every second. Going vegetarian, although veganism has been declared as the least harmful

Replace your standard lightbulbs with low-energy bulbs. If you can afford it, it also helps to install a solar panel to heat water in your geyser or pool.

Although SA produces 1.4 % of the world’s total CO2 (compared to thea US’s 25 %), the emissions per person are more than twice the world average.

diet, is one of the best things you can do for the planet. This might be really hard for some, so even a small change to your diet, such as reducing meat intake, introducing ‘meat free Mondays’ or going vegan for one month (even a day or week) would make such a difference.

This is because reducing methane emissions has a much more noticeable and immediate effect

on the environment, than reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Scary fact: It takes about 9 464 litres of water to produce only half a kilogram of beef!

Linked to a meat-free diet is the idea of going on a ‘carbon-diet.’ By being wary of your carbon footprint you can reduce it by up to 50% by implementing these easy changes:

Plastic-bag litter kills at least 100 000 birds, whales, seals, and turtles annually. Production of plastic bags also releases carcinogens into the atmosphere. Moreover, they take centuries to decompose.

Energy Fact: Buy a cloth bag or recycle old Due to Eskom being a bags. Take reusable shopping bags monopoly, SA has no other with you when you go out. Not only energy industries, let alone is it good for the environment, but green ones. As a result, the Pew it is also better for your wallet in Research Centre has labelled the long run. us as being among the least efficient users of energy in the world.

About 8 million adults in SA cannot read or write. By donating books or money to organisations such as CAFDA, Zifundele, Biblionef and GreaterGood SA, you are saving trees and improving the lives of many disadvantaged people in our country.

According to The Public Recycling Officials of Pennsylvania, for every ton of recycled paper, the following are saved: 17 trees 275 pounds of sulfur 350 pounds of limestone 9 000 pounds of steam 60 000 gallons of water 225 kilowatt hours 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space

UCT’s SCHOLARPRENEURS What does it mean to be a “Scholarpreneur” and why is it so important?

Papama Nyati

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he latest quarterly labour force survey released by Statistics South Africa in July saw a decline in 129 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2016. As it stands, the unemployment rate has increased from 25% to 26.7% since this time last year. Employment levels have declined quarter-to-quarter in all industries. This means that more than a quarter of the country’s workforce (ages 16 to 65) that are eligible to work are not working.

Without a strong workforce, government receives less tax revenue from income and businesses have a smaller market to sell their products and services. All of this indicates a stagnant economy.

Finding a job remains a daunting prospect for thousands of young graduates in the country. As more and more businesses downsize and labour becomes automated and even outsourced, the prospects for unemployed youth become even less.

But this does not have to be the reality for the youth who chose to take matters into their own hands.

The greatest challenge facing South Africa (at least from a young graduate’s point of view) is job creation. Many youngsters have figured out that there is no guarantee of employment after they graduate, so they choose to take the risk of enterprising. Starting a business, to many, is just as daunting a task (if not more) than seeking employment. By starting a business one is essentially throwing themselves in the deep end

with very little security – in fact, most businesses fail in their infant stages. Playing against those odds, it takes extraordinary courage and certainty in the prospects of their new business.

Even with the odds stacked against you, you’ll find some who are resilient enough to see their idea through until the end. Students who, on top of being full-time scholars, are running their own businesses.

For many, the idea of even starting a business while in university is inconceivable, given the already intense workload. Despite this, “scholarpreneurs” are out there hustling and grinding to turn their ideas into a reality. It is often said that “starting small” is key. However, an entrepreneur has to have a cause larger than themselves if they are to navigate their way to success in South Africa’s socio-economic labyrinth, filled with more issues and opportunities than ability.

Entrepreneurship is key to unlocking the socio-economic issues that have chained our society.

A scholarpreneur is a breed of student that our education system and institutions need to encourage – one who is self-reliant and financial savvy. Being a scholarpreneur is a mindset; one that understands that there is no freedom without financial freedom and no true knowledge without financial intelligence.

Here follows a profile of such a student who has taken the leap of faith to chase a cause big enough to keep him awake at night and still given enough energy to work at it during the day.

Scholarpreneur: Emile McLennan

Date of birth: 14 August 1995 Degree: Bachelor of Business Science (Finance and Accounting) (3rd Year) Current business: eShip (Pty) Ltd. (www.eship.co.za) From a young age, Emile has always been intrigued by the business world. He found inspiration from the many biographies he read growing up, looking up to fellow South Africans such as Elon Musk and Mark Shuttleworth – not your traditional 7-year old’s heroes. His knack for entrepreneurship was evident from a young age and he always found himself involved in business, in some way or another.

He was a self-taught developer by the age of 16. Emile believes everybody living in the 21st century should possess these skills as programming not only teaches one how to think, but equips one with the skills necessary to solve many of the modern challenges we face in the digital age. In his grade 10 year he developed an online health store, the first of its kind in the country.

The site, Supplement Central, sold health products online, much like a pharmacy with the focus being on health, sports and wellbeing. What started out as a personal project soon grew into a profitable business, which he later sold in his matric year for R250 000.

Subsequent to this, he wasted very little time moving onto his latest venture, eShip, after noting the massive inefficiencies that plagued the transport sector. Transporting goods across South Africa is not an easy undertaking, something Emile learned when he needed to transport

his motorbike from Durban to Cape Town. Emile spotted an opportunity and poured in most of the money made from his previous venture into this new one; eShip was born. eShip is an online transport marketplace and delivery aggregation engine that connects people looking to ship items with transport companies who have available capacity in their vehicles.

The idea is to fill up additional space on the transporter’s existing routes. By leveraging the power of the internet as well as capitalising off the reverse auction format, eShip is able to pass the cost savings onto the consignor whilst at the same time increasing the operational efficiency and bottom line profit of transport companies. It mirrors the business model of Uber, but instead of linking private cars to people needing a ride, it links freighters with people who need to move items that are too large for the post office and regular courier companies across varying distances. More recently, eShip has begun offering an ecommerce solution to online merchants, providing real-time courier delivery capabilities to online stores, giving them access to preferential rates, live tracking and booking functionality, all automated of course. eShip first grabbed the attention of the public when Emile pitched the idea to a group of investors on the South African version of the television show Dragon’s Den. He asked for R5 million and successfully secured investment from investors Vinny Lingham and Gil Oved. It was the largest deal of its kind. Whilst securing the funding was a major milestone for the business, it has

not all been plain sailing. Due to the nature of the business, there are many challenges which needed to be overcome. Building a two-sided marketplace is inherently difficult as a ‘critical mass’ of consignors and transporters are required at any one point in time in order for the benefit of the platform to be fully realised.

Furthermore, the rate adoption is hindered by the public’s lack of knowledge about the existence of such a solution and there are also limited resources available with which to capture the market. Emile trusts that these issues are shortterm in nature, with the problem of critical mass quickly being solved through the Pareto Principle, at least initially, and the problem being made advantageous through the upside of the Network Effect that is a feature of such systems.

Looking forward, Emile hopes to position eShip as the “go-to” place for all shipping needs, whether private or commercial, with the current focus being on building up a community of owner-driver entrepreneurs around the platform and further expanding upon the technology. The end goal is a seamless integration into daily life.

As Emile says, “The most effective solution is when technology gets out of the way, when you don’t have to think about it, it just works.”

There are many challenges that still lie ahead, but Emile is determined on a building a world-class service that he hopes will change the way Africa ships and disrupts the status-quo.

A year shy from his graduation, the integration of people with transport and technology is in sight.

FEATURES How to Adult: Car and Bike Emergency Tips 9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 13

How to deal with minor vehicular emergencies

Filipp Stoliarov

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hen it comes to owning a car or bike, a pair of jumper cables, ranging from R120 - R200 in price, will be the most pragmatic investment any individual can make. Be sure to buy a small can of lubricant; any generic brand works but Q20 (priced at R60) is a personal recommendation.

Importantly, keep a two litre bottle of water and/ or coolant mixture at hand. You never know when these seemingly insignificant products could save your derrière.

A Flat Tyre.

As long as you have a spare wheel with the basic tool kit, the steps are straightforward. Ensure that you are in a safe space to change the wheel and that your handbrake is up. Position the scissor jack (the contraption used to lift the vehicle by means of turning the screw in the centre) under the car. Proceed to raise it so it is supporting – but not lifting – the vehicle (there will normally be a groove towards the front and rear wheels to show where you position the jack). Take off the hub-cap and loosen the nuts in a counter-clockwise direction (lefty loose-y, righty tight-y). This is also where lubricant becomes useful. If the nuts are stuck, spray them with

the lubricant to dispel any rust.

Raise the jack until the wheel is off the ground. Remove the nuts and proceed to take off the tyre. Replace the spare tyre on the hub/wheel.

Tighten the nuts until they are snug and proceed to lower the jack, as the tyre touches the ground, ensure the nuts are securely tightened. Place the flat tyre in a safe place and ensure it is replaced or fixed. Seriously though, get that tyre fixed. From personal experience, there's very little use in knowing how to change a tyre, if one doesn't have a spare tyre to change.

A Dead Battery.

An easy way to check if your battery is dead is to turn on a light.

If the car's lights are dim or if you turn the key and the engine makes an increasingly slow chugging noise, it means the battery is flat.

The most pragmatic investment Ensure you have a set of jumper cables and another vehicle with a functioning battery (call a friend or the AA on 0800 88 77 66). Open the bonnet and locate the battery (it is the black or green square box with red and black ends on the far corner of the engine bay). Position the car with the live battery as close as possible

Image: Chris Waits to the flat one. Ensure both cars are turned off with their handbrakes up and gears in neutral. Place the red jumper cable clip on the live (red) terminal of both batteries and the black cable clip on the negative (black) terminal of both batteries.

Start the car with the live battery

and keep it running for at least 3 - 5 minutes. After the duration, the flat battery car should start up again. DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR. It is essential that your vehicle runs for at least 15 - 20 minutes after the jump start for the alternator to charge the battery. Remove the cables without

the clips touching each other. If the battery is flat the next day or a couple of hours after the jump start, it needs to be replaced. The same directions applying for jump-starting a motorbike.

Good luck fellow adulters!

The No-Nonsense Guide to Wine Tasting

Caroline Reid

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f the pomp and ceremony and blah around wine-tasting makes you roll your eyes, then this might be the no-nonsense guide you’ve been waiting for.

Wine tasting seems to be synonymous with rituals involving swirling glasses, spitting and words like “velvety notes” but it can also be lots of fun. So, grab your bottle opener and settle down with a storing, serving and sampling introduction to the wonderful world of wine.

The wine experience begins

with the eyes. Swirl your wine in the glass, noting the sheen and the colour before tasting. Then take a deep inhalation. Savour the aroma, feel free to declare it full bodied and then take a sip. There are three taste sensations to enjoy: the first touch on the tongue, the evolving flavour as you swill and the after notes.

Between wines, cleanse the palate with a small portion of cheese, bread or a little water.

The varieties of wine go beyond just red and white. It’s commonly misinterpreted that red grapes make red wine, and green grapes make white wine, but the colour of wine comes from the grape skin. A

pristine, white wine can be made from red grapes if the grape skins are removed from the juice just after they are pulped. Rosé is the halfway point where the skins are removed a little after fermentation has started.

There are lots of different varieties of grape and therefore lots of different types of wine. Here are a few to get you started: Merlot — This is a safe starting red wine with deep flavours. The name is thought to have come from the French word merle which means blackbird. Fitting, since the grapes are a deep, dark blue.

Pinotage — This ruby red is the signature South African variety,

Image: Caroline Reid created nearly 100 years ago by a professor at Stellenbosch University.

It has a powerful aroma and is often quite tart.

Chardonnay — A neutral white wine made from green grapes. These vines were smuggled into South Africa during the 70’s quarantine restrictions. Ah, what we will do for a glass of chardonnay!

Sauvignon Blanc — This wild white wine has notable acidity. The grapes are harvested before the overwhelming heat of summer over-ripens them.

Farmers have noted that the sauvignon blanc harvests happen

earlier and earlier over time due to climate change.

Any wine can become a sparkling wine either through special fermentation processes or carbonation. Champagne is a wellknown type of sparkling wine that is made from a blend of different grape varieties, but can only be called champagne if they’re grown in the Champagne region of France.

The general rule is that red is served at room temperature and white is served chilled. White wine tends to contain more tannins — a molecule that creates a dry, tart sensation in the mouth. If the tannins are cooled down, then the tartness is more subtle.

Wine should be stored somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. If the cork dries out, it will fall apart when the bottle is opened.

After opening, try a little pizazz with your serving style — cocktail makers put on a show and wine is no different. Gently tip the wine into the glass, and when full, twist the bottle to stop the wine flow. This prevents spills and looks professional.

Pouring sparkling wine is a little different. To stop the fizz going flat, trickle it into a glass straight after opening. If you’re pouring more than one glass, ‘wet’ the glasses first by pouring a small amount of sparkling wine, then topping it up once the bubbles have settled.

These facts and flourishes are only a drop in the rich culture of wine. So crack open a bottle, grab some friends and begin a wine adventure that will enrich your life for many years to come.

OLYMPIC - SPORT Our Girls Are Going to the Olympics

9 August 2016 | V75 E 8 | Page 14

GREETINGS

from the bench Catherine Fulton

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reetings from the Olympic stands! Yes you guessed it: This edition’s theme is The Olympic Games, Rio 2016, and we hope you’ll enjoy the refreshing change in content as each article is tailored to suit the theme. The Olympic Games have already begun, and it is time to smear on the South African flag colours and scream at the TV. But before I get carried away, may I call attention to all Racket Sport Fans! If you have a look at the Racketlon SA Advertisement on page 16, you’ll notice that this exciting event combines the four sports of Table Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Tennis into one, and that all are welcome to watch or to enter; it’s free! SO come and support UCT, its sure to be one heck of a racket…

Pun intended. Also, to all the UCT sport societies out there, have a look online for an update on results; you will also find all sorts of interesting articles there. As for everyone else who is feeling slightly overwhelmed by varsity at the moment, and is in need of something fun, I have one piece of advice that saved me from boredom the other day: try something new. Whether it be a trip to an unusual museum, tasting food you’ve never had before, or going for a spontaneous drive to see where you end up; the possibilities are endless. You’re bound to make some memories, and perhaps some new friends!

So long, and happy reading!

Tessa Knight

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ender inequality isn’t a new phenomenon. Sexism, genderbased wage discrepancies and a lack of maternity leave are commonplace in most occupations, including professional sports.

Many countries pay their national female sporting teams a tiny percentage of the huge salaries their male counterparts receive, supposedly because they are less popular and therefore less of a financial investment. Even in today’s more gender neutral society, sport continues to be a male-dominated world. Famous female athletes are few and far between, and are still spoken about in terms of their body and appearance as opposed to their athletic abilities.

In a recent press conference with Serena Williams, who is currently the top ranked female tennis player in the world, the sportswoman was asked how she felt about going down in history as one of the greatest

female athletes of all time. Williams’ response, requesting to be referred to as one of the greatest athletes in history simply highlights sexism of the sporting world.

Highlights the sexist way of the sporting world

Sadly, South Africa is no different from the rest of the world. While walking around campus we spoke to 25 self-identified football fans, asking them if they had heard of South Africa’s Senior Woman’s National Football Team, nicknamed Banyana Banyana or ‘The Girls’. Of the group, 9 identified as women and 16 as men, and yet none of the men claimed to know whom Banyana Banyana are, whereas 6 of the 9 women had at least heard of our Woman’s National Team.

Unfortunately our ladies, or ‘girls’, do not get nearly as much attention

as their male counterparts, Bafana Bafana, even though they are an incredibly strong team. So strong, in fact, that they qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics in an incredibly close match against Equatorial Guinea last year after having between Gabon 8-0 and Kenya 2-0. Yet these patriotic events received so little media attention that the majority of the population do not even know the team exists. Moreover, the recent international friendly match against New Zealand was not shown on our local SABC Sports network, however every match played by the senior Bafana Bafana team, who did not

Population do not even know the team exists qualify for the Olympics, is shown on more than one sports channel.

Supposedly this lack of media coverage and endorsement is why

Banyana Banyana are paid salaries so small that the players are unable to survive on their sporting abilities alone. A 2014 inquiry by the Democratic Alliance revealed that Banyana Banyana players receive between R2000-R5000 per game, whereas Bafana Bafana players are paid R60 000 for a win and R30 000 for a draw. SA Women’s Football Association acting-vice president, Molegadi Molelekoa, also said that as of 2012 female athletes were expected to pay for their own flights to matches in other cities or countries, an impossible feat considering how little they are paid.

To add insult to injury, four of the team’s players are recorded as being born in 2016 on the certified Sasol website. How can we expect South Africans to appreciate and respect women’s football if the official sponsor of our national team does not?

The only way to do so is if we change the way we look at gender representation in sports.

Catherine Fulton Image: pixabay

Rhythmic gymnastics is Going for gold Shelby Labuschagne

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he Gymnastics discipline at the 2016 Olympics has been broken down into three categories: Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampolining.

Although the male athletes have been working to gain the recognition that the female athletes currently have in the sport, it hasn’t taken off yet and female rhythmic gymnastics is the only rhythmic gymnastics that is currently recognised by the Olympics.

Male athletes have been working to gain the recognition that female athletes have.

The training schedule for a rhythmic gymnast consists of training for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. Although this amount of training is just an average, it can be shorter or longer and more or less frequent, depending on your current training level, e.g.: the 2016 Rio Olympics vs your local competition.

This four-hour training routine includes a warm up and physical training.

The physical training can take the form of jumps, core workouts and rope-skipping. Some gymnasts even have their own self-designed training course to increase their weak areas whilst maintaining their strong ones. Rhythmic gymnasts have to be very strong, as they perform a wide variety of many tricks. From propelling themselves into the air in the form of an amazing leap to supporting other gymnasts, they can even use their teammates as props in some routines. After the gymnasts have done the physical training, they all participate in a coolingdown exercise that is tailored to each gymnast as it aims to increase their own flexibility. This flexibility is necessary for the next section of their training: ballet. They will perform leaps and pirouettes thousands of times until they have executed them perfectly, and every second of training counts here. Finally, the apparatus is then incorporated into their already complicated routine.

In order for the gymnasts to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, they competed in the World Gymnastics Championships; the results from this competition wa calculated and the top 14 teams were chosen to compete in the Olympic games.

The current gymnastics teams to look out for at the upcoming

Olympics are Russia, Belarus and Italy as they won Gold, Silver and Bronze in the 2012 Olympics respectively. However, the sport is mainly dominated by European countries, with Russia at the top of the table due to claiming Gold in both the individual and group routines.

The sport is mainly dominated by European countries In the European Rhythmic Gymnastic event that took place in mid-June, the Bulgarian team had a rough patch. While performing their routine, one of the gymnasts knocked a hoop with her foot and it went astray. The receiving gymnast had to run after it, although it didn’t leave the floor. A couple seconds later in the routine, another gymnast dropped the clubs and also had to run after them. It was then that the Bulgarian team stopped and walked off the floor. The judges granted the team permission to try again and they redid their routine perfectly.

Bulgaria will definitely be a team to watch, so look out for them in the 2016 Olympics.

Image: Okino

OLYMPIC - SPORT

SPORT BITES Pole vaulter Joana Costa heading to Olympics for first time Costa believed she would be watching the Olympics from the stands until she unexpectedly received a late call-up for the Brazil team. The esteemed athlete vaulted the qualifying standard of 4.50m at the Brazilian championships on 3 July, having earned her first ever call-up to the Olympic Games. “I have dreamed all of my life of going to the Olympics,” she said. “But I was expecting to be watching here and I bought tickets for the men’s and women’s qualifying events in the pole vault...” Costa had only just missed the qualifying height of 4.45m for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and as a result is determined to make up for lost time this year.

Virtual reality makes its way to the stadium

Olympic spectators will be transported right to the heart of the Olympic game using a compatible headset and mobile phones, with coverage to include the opening and closing ceremonies and one event per day. These live broadcasts will be offered via ‘video-ondemand’ services, which will be provided by various international rights holders, such as on NBC in the US. “VR is not about viewing in a traditional sense,” says Karen Mullins, Production Manager of host operator Olympic Broadcasting Services. “It’s about an experience... in each venue, each sport, we try to take the viewer to a place that they couldn’t buy a ticket for.”

Stumbling Off the Podium –

A Dummies Guide to the Rio Olympics Adam Kleinschmidt

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t’s time to get your interest in international sporting feats up to scratch again, for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics has already begun! As you read this, several hundred hyped-up athletes are competing for the coveted medals, media attention and national pride in sunny Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wait, what: you don’t know how to watch the Olympics? Is it safe to throw that spear thing? Golf, tennis and rugby in one tournament, how can that be? Fear not, for VARSITY will guide you through the various ways to watch one of the biggest sporting events around.

For starters, that spear thing is actually a javelin and yes, it is safe.

Similarly, athletes will attempt to throw discs, heavy balls and will also shoot arrows and rifles, involving aim, precision and an understanding of weather conditions. These are some of the numerous events that happen at every Olympic tournament that is held every four years. Other athletic events include running distances (from 100m to a full marathon), the various jumps (high jump, pole vault and so forth) and the mixed decathlon (a combination of ten events that is undertaken by one athlete).

Swimming is also a big part of the Summer Olympics: various aquatic activities reap rewards, with a total of 46 gold, silver and bronze medals

up for grabs. Diving, synchronized swimming and water polo are alongside swimming heats as the water-dwellers try their best to score gold. In the past, South Africa has often done really well in swimming, with numerous swimmers like Chad Le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh gaining attention in 2012.

Should running or swimming not catch your attention, there are other sports also available. Plenty of international contestation will occur on the greens, in the court and on the water as the other events take place. Canoeing, sailing, basketball, golf and even weightlifting are all on show and are a fascination to any casual observer.

So how exactly does one watch the Olympics? Quite simply, just like any other sport. While some of the events may have niche communities – to this day I don’t understand how gymnastics works – it is possible to gather if someone is doing a good job or not: just listen to the crowd and commentator (they are your friends!). Additionally, just support your country: it’ll be a rewarding experience no matter what your understanding is.

So get your multicoloured face paint and head to your local sports club to watch as the numerous hardworking athletes of the world do their best for glory. You never know: you may see one of those recordbreaking events that make these international events so popular.

The hockey player raised in Great Britain had received a suspicious message from a stranger, asking him about an opportunity to join Brazil’s national men’s hockey team. The 27-year-old had initially thought someone was pranking him and had deleted it immediately. After the second email, Vehrlé-Smith realised it was a dream to become a reality, and hopes the Games will build the sport in Brazil to the point where an email from a Brazilian hockey official is no longer viewed with surprise and suspicion.

The first time in over 100 years

Unusual athletes

Sourced from the official Olympic website: https://www. rio2016.com/en

Image: Mari Mombers GOLF The first new addition to make its debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics comes in swinging and is an age old classic. Golf will form a part of the line-up for the first time in over 100 years. Although this will undoubtedly be to the delight of many fans, they will be missing some of the world’s top players such as Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson. Most of the golfers withdrawing from the games seem to site the Zika virus as an excuse. Nonetheless, the game of golf is sure to make an exciting comeback to the games and will garner a bunch of new followers glued to their screens.

Stéphane Vehrlé-Smith’s Olympic journey began with an unexpected email

Customised cabins with vegetables, fresh fruit and apple juice served, these Rio Olympic athletes were no ordinary competitors, but the horses competing in the equestrian division at the Olympic Games. The horses had a long journey ahead with a 12 hour flight, but luckily had a vet on hand at all times. Yes, even the animals get VIP treatment. The first flight to Rio carried 34 horses from 10 different nations: Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Japan, Italy and China.

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Image: Mari Mombers

The new stars set to shine the 2016 Rio Olympics Nicole Arends THE Olympics is an event which has had the world on the edge of its seat for decades. Each round of the games comes with its fair share of twists and turns. We’ve witnessed

everything from hot air ballooning to tug-of-warring, and with the vast history of thrill and drama you may be posed with the question, “What’s next?”. Well, if the great SUPER BACTERIA scare isn’t enough to keep you tuned in, perhaps these new additions to the games may be.

RUGBY The second new entry to the list, is a sport which hits close to home. It’s the classic game of rugga, bru! The Olympics will welcome the game of rugby back onto its itinerary in the form of the thrilling and fastpaced 7’s game and both women’s and men’s teams will be competing.

The 7’s format is a far-cry from once being known as the offshoot of the traditional game and the rapid nature of the game with constant tries, turnovers and tackles will definitely be an exciting component of the Rio games. South Africa is one of the favourites to take the gold on this one, so be sure to stay tuned!

Although these are the only two confirmed additions to the 2016 Olympics, there are a few raved

about favourites to be added to the games in the future.

KARATE Karate is set as a huge contender to re-enter the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. The Games biggest focus for 2020 is said to be the youth, and Karate will also be focused on the young up-and-comers. Of course, it helps that the game is a rising favourite on the home grounds of Japan. The discipline and technicality which this sport entails are also a huge factor to making it a favourite, as it represents a lot of what the Olympics stand for. So all you black belts better start calling up Mr Miyagi, because 2020 may just be your year to shine.

SKATEBOARDING Another sport with massive youth appeal.

It may be unconventional, but skateboarding shows the innovative and forward-thinking direction in which the games wish to go. The sport requires a great deal of skill and talent, and has become one of the most popular sport amongst the youth all around the world, even giving rise to an entire subculture (and also giving us Ryan Sheckler *heart eyes*). As Tony Hawk has been quoted to say, “I think the

The game is a rising favourite Olympics needs skateboarding much more than skateboarding needs the Olympics. The Summer Games desperately need that cool factor, something that snowboarding has added to the Winter Olympics. The Summer Games just don't have that."

OLYMPIC

SPORT

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Mental strength: How to think like an Olympian Catherine Fulton

C

an you believe that August is here? It is already second semester, and the fact that you’re reading this now means you’ve made it this far. Well done! Now here comes the hard part: How do you maintain the motivation to keep on keeping-on?’ I know that most of us at this point have had a steady decline in energy, but the important thing to remember is that

we are all stronger than we realise, and that success lies in the mind.

A recent study (Applied Research Mental Links to Excellence by Terry Orlick, John Partington) revealed how Olympic athletes use mental strength to overcome adversity and achieve their go(a)lds - see what I did there.

These tips on mental strength (summarised and complied by CULT Raw Energy) does not only apply to Olympians, but to all of us. Whether it be varsity-related

struggles, relationship problems or even just the general lack in energy, having mental strength can help with almost anything that is in your way; you just need to be in the right frame of mind.

1. Change the way that you think about yourself Think about this: have you ever had a teacher or coach that just never gave you praise? When someone gave you a compliment, you automatically brushed it aside and assumed it’s not true. Positivity

can do wonders to mental strength.

Those moments when you hear cheerleaders screaming praise and your teammates cheering you on are often what can make the difference between a win or lose. It’s estimated you say 300 to 1000 words to yourself per minute: those words need to be positive. You need to practice being aware of the way that you think.

2. It’s the process that counts Whilst having big dreams or huge goals are good, its easier to think in short-term goals that lead toward

Image: Preston Keres

Fixtures All Olympic events Friday 12 August SuperSport 1 15:25 - 15:55 Rugby Sevens Men’s Match Bronze Medal 15:55 - 16:25 Rugby Sevens Men’s Match Gold Medal Saturday 13 August SuperSport 5 17:05 - 19:05 Basketball Women:

Australia v Belarus 19:05 - 20:55 Basketball Men: Argentina v Brazil Sunday 14 August SuperSport 4 14:20 - 17:50 Athletics Women’s Marathon 20:55 - 22:35 Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Final

long-term goals, than focusing on the end-goal alone. Breaking it down into smaller bits allows you to see the progress, and seeing progress builds motivation. Its not the destination, but the journey. Focusing on just the end-goal might not get you there, because the destination is not where your focus should lie. Pay attention to your progress instead.

3. Practice visualization: see the bigger picture Close your eyes and picture your goal. See every obstacle in the way, and visualise yourself overcoming those obstacles. It is almost like making mental back-up plans; when you see yourself overcome that obstacle in your mind, you’ll know what to do in reality.

4. Use simulations Yes, that old saying: Practice makes perfect. But it is true; believe it or not, some famous musicians or athletes are not built on pure talent or ‘the right genes’, but have so much experience behind them that it appears to be raw talent. If you know that you battle at something (for example, speaking in front of crowds) try and practice in conditions close enough to the real thing — the more you get exposed to it and the more experience you have, the better you will become.

5. Consistency is key This is my personal rule when it comes to mental strength. How much do you really want to achieve that goal? Are you going to wait for it to happen, or are you going to put in the necessary effort to achieve it?

I know that sometimes the going gets tough. But consistency is key — keep on going, keep trying, keep on doing. Know if you really put in the work, you are guaranteed a good result.

Where it All Began Cara Herring

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ue to my shocking lack of knowledge on all things Olympics related, I decided to delve into the history of the Olympic Games: the origins, symbolism and current on-goings in an attempt to educate both myself and the readers of Varsity.

The Olympic Games originated in Ancient Greece and the earliest writings about it date back as far as 776 B.C. In Athens 1896, the first modern Olympics took place and according to the `History` page, consisted of 280 participants from 13 nations, competing in 43 events.

The Olympic symbol, comprising of five rings, were originally designed in 1912 by the co-founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin. The six colours, which includes the flag`s white background, are a reflection of every country’s flag colours, showing that all nations

are welcome to participate.

The interlaced rings symbolise continuity and the human being.

The well-known motto `Faster, Higher, Stronger` is originally in Latin: `Citius, Altius, Fortius`, and was borrowed from a Dominican priest (and athletics enthusiast) Henri Didon, but proposed by Pierre de Coubertin. This occurred when the modern Olympics were founded in 1984.

Fast-forward to 1904, a significant year for us South Africans. This was the first year that South Africa participated at the Olympic Games, and eight athletes took part. In the following Olympic Games (1908) held in London, 19-year-old Reg Walker won the first gold medal for South Africa in the 100 metres race.

Since 1904 South Africa has won 76 medals, despite not competing between 1964 and 1988, as a result of Apartheid rule. Following the

citizens vote to abolish Apartheid; South Africa was once again allowed to compete in 1992.

Now let us shift our focus to Rio de Janeiro, host city of the 2016 Olympic Games. The Opening Ceremony started off the Olympics on Saturday, August 6 at the Maracanã Stadium. The sporting activities shall commence for about two and a half weeks until the Closing Ceremony on August 22. These ceremonies provide the host country an opportunity to showcase their culture and talent. This year, the creative directors are Brazilian film director Fernando Meirelles and producer Daniela Thomas.

The flag-bearer for South Africa is Wayde van Niekerk, the World 400m Champion and will lead the team of 135 South African athletes into the venue. Let us watch them run, swim, and jump their way to victory- Go South Africa!