Vuka!

VUKA!

Edition 1 Volume 1

When hungry men become angry men Page 8

A mother, wife, baker and wanting more Page 2

3 June 2016

Vukani streets become a playground Page 6

VUKA!

Page 1

Bursting the purple bubble &

W

ake up students, Vukani!

The focus of campus news is set on rape culture, dining hall occupations, continuing university decolonisation debates and the after effects of the Rhodes University Flavourfest. While these issues are important to Rhodents there is another reality in eRhini that has been left untouched for too long. Vuka! attempts to fix this as it looks past the activities central to campus and focuses on people and action in the Grahamstown township settings of Joza, Vukani and Fingo Village. When students heard that the publication’s writers were going to make weekly visits to the townships, their responses were in line with “be careful, it is dangerous there” and “make sure you walk in groups to be safe”. There is a clear separation between Rhodes University and the surrounding Grahamstown community. While the student media does occasionally include stories about the surrounding community, few focus on activities within the locations and those that do report on these incidents, do so from a police official stance or with the stereotypical view of the townships as poverty-stricken and crime-infested areas. Our publication’s intention is to break down this stereotype, to emphasize the value and interest of the lives of the residents in eRhini and to bridge the gap between the community and the students. We claim to be the ‘woke’ generation. The generation that voices their opinions fearlessly and challenges authoritative structures, but how ‘woke’ are we when we fail to see the reality that exists after one crosses the demarcation that is the Grahamstown police station? The written pieces in Vuka! as well as the visual stories will bring the rest of eRhini to the Rhodes University campus. These stories cross boundaries and will cause Rhodents to see the mothers and fathers who form part of the campus staff as they really are. They are real people with real stories. We aim to inspire students to find a further interest in that which extends outside of their immediate accessibility. We want to redefine the binary in Grahamstown, empower community agency and give voice to the silenced majority in the media.

Vuka! will wake its readers up to the lives that go unreported, the intimate stories that go unrecognised and the side of eRhini that is so often neglected.

It is exclusionary to name an area “Extension” G

rahamstown locations are treated like families treat their unwanted but unavoidable in-laws. They are in your life but are only seen as additions to the ‘original’ family. This is because these areas of the Rhini or Grahamstown East community are still being called by their initially allocated names, “extensions”.

Since democracy was introduced South African citizens have intensified their concerns of the effects which naming has on the development of decolonization in a country. Name changes have been put in place, in most cases, to rid the country of haunting histories and replace streets or airport names with deservedly memorable ones like those of key influencers in the promotion of our democracy. Name changes have occurred such as H.F. Verwoerd Airport being renamed Port Alfred International Airport. On a local scale, Rhodes University’s Jan Smuts residence was changed to Robert Sobukwe House. In these instances, the changing of the name saw inclusion into a society of those who are oppressed and saw progress for a democratic societal culture. I certainly feel that the same transformation needs to be happening for Grahamstown locations.

The denotation of the word ‘extension’ is that it is an addition to something. Extensions One through to Ten of the Rhini community were initially termed Extensions as they were allocated land for the building of temporary informal settlements to house the overcrowding of amaXhosa people in Grahamstown. These were added through a self-help housing scheme starting with Extension One in the year 1982. Seeing that over 20 years have now gone by a developmental change should be made. These areas should no longer be termed as ‘additions’ to Grahamstown, because this implies that the areas are separate extras to the supposed Grahamstown proper. The continuation of the names ‘Extensions’ echoes the history of a racially segregated town.

The unfortunate implications of being named extensions is that these areas are excluded from what is considered to be the heart of Grahamstown. The inhabitants of these areas might to a degree feel that they are lesser to the named more important town residents. A bigger concern is that in the cases where an extension has been given an alternative name, such as Extension Nine being named Joza Location, the residents still refer to their dwelling places as an extension. This encourages an unintentional attitude of the residents excluding themselves from the rest of the Grahamstown dwellers.

In many ways these locations are already omitted from the central happenings of town and do not need the exclusionary names intensifying the separation. The media mostly covers events which happen in the central part of the town and when it does extend its content to involve that of the east side locations it criminalizes the areas.

In the 2015 and 2016 orientation week editions of The Oppidan Press, a map of Grahamstown is drawn up for

new students, but in both instances does not include the townships. This is an example of how student media has previously excluded the locations from being considered a noteworthy part of Grahamstown for students. Name changes should by now be completely implemented to a degree where the townships are no longer viewed as extended entities separated from the town central on goings, but included as an imperative part of Grahamstown.

By changing a name, we are making a necessary start for correcting attitudes towards these areas. Name changing is essential in the Grahamstown locations, where spaces are already under resourced and viewed negatively. By replacing extensions with new uplifting names for Grahamstown locations, it will be taking a step forward not only for practical inclusion but for cause of equality which our democracy is still striving for.

Locations are treated as the unwanted in-laws in relation to Grahmstown central. Photograph by james Vininwg.

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Page 2

A mother, wife, baker and wanting more

I

Ntombizanele is rarely seen without a smile on her face.

Photograph By Catherine Roland

nstructions of nurture run from Ntombizanele Muriel Vellem’s mouth, “Umncinci kangaka yehlika kulo tafile uzakuwa wonzakale!” as she picks her son of four years off the table. Soon, she bends down to strap her daughter’s shoe protectively to the foot. Her children slurp their cold drink from plastic cups with a satisfied expression of “mmttaah”, and Vellem immediately gives the motherly glare, warning them to be polite. Vellem, a 40-year- old resident of the Joza community, has aspirations as a mother and modern woman that she desperately wants to fulfil.

Glancing at a photograph of her younger self in the candle lit house, Vellem confesses, “I fell pregnant at the age of 16”. When she had her first child, Vellem’s mother told her she was not ready, “She said I needed to finish my matric at Imiqwayi school before I could be a mother.”Her eldest son, Akhona, consequently lived with his grandmother for the first 13 years of his life while Vellem equipped herself for motherhood. Her youngest children, Owam, age eight, and Lonwabo, age four, grew up with Vellem as their supermom.

Her look of adoration upon them, warm embraces and insistence on her children doing their homework shows that Vellem wants nothing but the best that life can offer for her children. Her face crumbles in response to her daughter’s question, “Ndingayokuthenga amaqhashu e 50c?” (can I go buy popcorn for 50c?), as she says, “Hayi andinayo imali yalonto” (No, I do not have money for that).

Vuyani Leta, her husband, arrives home

from Penny Pincher’s where he works and she greets him warmly while he hugs his children hello. “My Ntombizanele always wanted to work, she was at home before, looking after the children but when we were married I supported her decision to get a job,” says Leta, “It makes buying things for the house much easier.” Vellem acts as her immediate family’s matriarch. She wakes up in the mornings at 5am, prepares lunch for her husband and children, and irons her children’s school uniforms. She then takes a bath before placing the grains of millie pap in the pot and waking her family up.

Her routine continues with bathing her children, packing their bags, polishing their shoes and dropping them off at school at 7.30am after which she heads to work at Oscar’s Country Café.

Decadent chocolate brownies rise in the oven and Vellem grins in contentment.

Flour and cocoa are dusted across her apron, evidence of her effort. Vellem is a baker at Oscar’s Country Café, making creations varying from red velvet cake, carrot cake, Greek coconut tarts to death by chocolate treats. Working six days a week, an average of 10 hours a day and 12 hours on a productive Friday, it surprises students that Vellem is always seen wearing a smile.

Emily Swan, a student waitress at Oscar’s Country Café says that Vellem “insists on being called Mama by students,” and that she “always brings such happy energy to work”. Vellem admires the respect that students give her within the work environment, “they have manners and treat me like their elder, but some older customers, they

treat me like I am a child,” she says.

As she returns home, Vellem is welcomed by a cheering atmosphere of children singing on dirt roads and her sister-in- law greeting her with a jubilant, “Hello my sister!” from the door frame opposite her house. While Vellem feels safe in a community of relatives, she believes that “You cannot always rely on someone, you need to stand up on your own two feet and do things your own way.” She is reluctant to continue living in a house that belongs to her husband’s family and is insistent that one day she will build her own home. With a tone of certainty Vellem states, “I need a home of my own. It is not a good thing to stay with your in-laws, they are so demanding when they visit. They make me wear my traditional dress, I am not allowed to go to work, I have to stay at home and cook for eight more people.”

With this goal in mind, Vellem aspires to start a care-taking business of her own in the near future for the neighbourhood’s children. This she adds will allow other mothers to seek job opportunities in town and for her to save more money to support her family.

“I want to work for my children and I want my children to finish varsity. If they can get bursaries, I want my children to attend Rhodes University” says Vellem. Her determination and strong will shows promise for the future of the Vellem line. *translation of isiXhosa in introduction: “Little one get off the table, you are going to fall.”

Ntombizanele would do anything for her children.

Photograph by Catherine Roland

Mapping Locations Township keys: Joza Location Fingo Village Eluxolweni Tantji Vukani Hlalani Rhodes University

VUKA!

Page 3

Crime wave terrorises local shops T

in cash from him and his partner Bashka Kadir.

“The following items were recovered and seized from them,” says police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender: “Cigarettes, cash as well as several rounds of ammunition for a 9mm pistol and a 7.65 pistol.”

Both men are facing charges of business robbery and could be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison.

Mr Cheap is just one of many spaza shops which have been robbed over the last two months in Vukani.

Crime has increased over the last year says local resident, Sinoxolo Ncipa. The shops make for easy targets as they have limited security and usually contain a large amount of cash. All the robberies occur at night when the shop keepers are either away or sleeping, and the perpetrators are always armed.

The recent spike in crime in Vukani, and the other surrounding townships, not only effects shop owners, but residents as well. Many of whom are Rhodes University students, who often have to commute back to their homes at night.

Infographic by Kelia Losa Reinoso

wo men were arrested by police on 9 February 2016 following the robbery of a local convenience store in Vukani Township outside Grahamstown. The suspects forced their way into Mr Cheap convenient store by bending the burglar bars at about 3.30 on Tuesday morning, armed with pistols.

“They pointed their guns at me, demanding money,” says shop keeper Fatah Omar, who awoke to find the men inside. Omar quickly phoned Mohamed Lishar, one of the shop’s owners, before the armed men could break through the steel gate that lead to his sleeping quarters. Lishar arrived on the scene shortly after and immediately informed the police department about the robbery in progress. The men fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes but were soon apprehended by members of the community until officers arrived.

“What can you do but sit and wait for the police to arrive when you’re facing men with guns”, says Lishar. He estimates that the suspects stole over R2000

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The tattered remains of a local spaza shop. Photograph by James Vining.

The rape myth proved false R

ape myths are false beliefs surrounding rape that are backed up by stereotypes. An example of this is the belief that rape only happens in dark alleys between the shacks of a township. Many South Africans, sadly, still believe that rape crimes are associated with poverty, poor upbringing, mental disorders and somehow this covers up the fact that rape happens everywhere. It is disheartening to see so many people still shy away when this issue is raised while others stand tall and fight against these horrible crimes.

What is even worse is that for good reason South Africa is known for being the ‘rape capital’ of the world. Yes, there are many other countries in the world that have a higher rape quota than South Africa but this infamous nick-name might have been given to us because of the publicity we place on the crime rates in the townships. There are multiple negative aspects of the townships that are highlighted through media and conversation and that include the idea at hand: that rape rates are higher, true, but they are not restricted to the townships.

Jackrolling is a term commonly used in large townships. The word ‘jackroll’ was coined to refer to the forceful abduction and raping of women in black townships by a gang called the ‘Jackrollers’.

The gang operated in the years 1987 and 1988 in the Diepkloof area of Soweto. The abduction of women became fashionable and anyone who did it would be called a jackroller. This is only one example of how

rape myths and stereotypes surrounding townships are reinforced. Just the fact that there is a wellknown term for the sick practice is evidence enough that things in the townships are bad, if not worse, than what the media tells us.

These past few weeks have been an emotional time for thousands of students at Rhodes University.

The rape culture protest was an intense and powerful time in the history of not only the university but of South Africa. Rape occurs anywhere. It happens in your residence-mate’s room, it happens at your best friend’s digs, it happens at Peachy Beach, Great Field Party, or even after a relatively sober night at the Rat and Parrot. Most worryingly, it is almost always someone one knows and trusts. The women in these spheres are closer to home. They are not random names in a newspaper with a background story that she was walking down an alleyway in the dark.

Women should be able to go out and enjoy themselves without the worry that someone might take advantage of them.

This is why 2016 saw a massive uprising at Rhodes University against rape culture and the #rureferenclist. It shows just how real rape is in all spheres of society, not only in the townships. The thought that a woman is unsafe or feels unsafe wherever she may be, is a frightening one. Our University is meant to be our home. It ought to be a place of safety and comfort and instead it has been infected by fear created by the perpetrators of rape victims.

VUKA!

VUKA!

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Food price increases leave location consumers anxious S

Empty shelves are evidence of food price increase. Photograph by James Vining.

taple food pricing has increased by a large margin of 6.9% across South Africa since January 2016 as a result of the national drought. The consumer price inflation has Grahamstown location residents, shops owners and farmers deeply concerned.

“I used to always buy 10kg of rice but now I only buy two 2kgs because I can’t afford it otherwise,” says Sheila Daweti, Vukani resident.

On 15 February 2016 the Bureau for Food and Agriculture (BFAP) released their policy, outlining the drought impact on consumer food pricing. The policy states that the cost of the staple basket increased by 19% from January of last year and is expected to have an additional 10% price increase within the first quarter of this year.

Convenient store owners within Vukani are worried about the sustainability of their businesses with the rapid food inflations.

Bashka Kadir, owner of Mr. Cheap, says that his inability to buy the usual stock at affordable prices has affected the relationship between him and his regular customers.

“This is because I go to town and get something that has been increased by 10% or 15% and logically I need to increase my sale prices too. The customers then blame us on increasing the prices and they are complaining about the change that happens overnight. They say I am robbing them,” says Kadir.

With basic food products such as cooking oil now being sold at the price of R40 in the township, Kadir, partnered with Mohamed Lishar,

has to frequently limit customers when selecting their groceries.

Oscar Brown, owner of Surrey farm and Oscar’s Country Café, says that the drought-induced food pricing increase has made maintaining income from farming very challenging, “The price of Lucerne has increased from R1,700 a ton to R3,600 a ton just this year.” Brown says that the drought has resulted in a shortage of slaughter animals which has pushed up the price of meat.

While the BAFP has recommendations to ensure there is food security and affordability for South Africans they say that a return to regular weather conditions will create a phase of agricultural rebuilding. This will result in an extended period of price increases.

The urgency of proper housing again pleaded with their local municinder a wavy shadow of lamp light pality council only to receive vague rethat is central to the entire house- sponses and false promises. hold is how most families living in South Housing is a matter of urgency evAfrican townships huddle up for an erywhere in the world. the insurance of evening meal in their homes. Most of decent housing is a constitutional right the people under these circumstances in South Africa. This being the case you are Reconstruction and Development would imagine more effort from the muProgramme (RDP) dwellers. Housing in nicipality and government as a whole but South Africa has been an issue since the in South Africa this sense of urgency is country gained its freedom. As our set- lacking. tlements stand now, they seem to accomThis issue of Vuka! focuses on the modate for a society of racial segregation township as a whole and what it is like where black , white and other colours to live in the township. Housing being have specific living conditions in gener- a major part of living in the township al. The majority of black South Africans is key in illustrating the lifestyle of the have found themselves in the depths of people who live there. It speaks to the poverty, living in horrible conditions as well-being of people who work hard to the result of the segregation policies of maintain a decent lifestyle despite the the old regime. number of hardships they face. CharGrahamstown consists of a number acter, compassion, love, fear, broken reof townships which are highly populated lationships and more are brought up in with black South Africans and number this issue of Vuka! In a bid to show that of foreign nationals. A visit to Fingo vil- just like us, students of Rhodes Universilage put into perspective the harsh living ty, are people living in the same space but conditions that I had previously only are hardly acknowledged by their society read on the local newspaper, Grocott’s because they lead a completely different Mail. The Vuka! team journeys to these lifestyle. If it is not a challenge to know homesteads and finds a repetitive nature your community better, it should serve from one home to another of leaking as an epiphany of some sort that on the rooftops, cracked walls and electricity other side of the cathedral exists an enshortage being the norm. The people tire human population trying to make a living in these situations have time and better tomorrow just like you and I.

U

Local man converts shop into home. Photograph by James Vining.

VUKA!

Page 5

The spirit of the drum T

he sound of drums being repeatedly beaten rises from a back room in Vukani. The rhythmic highs and lows are deeply rooted in the culture of the community, music being a language that is spoken just as frequently as isiXhosa is.

It is a Wednesday evening and as 6pm strikes the men, women and children step out of their day time clothes and step into the attire that separates them from the rest. The youth, dominated by young women, are dressed in long white robes with tight navy bands wrapped around their waists and white head-wraps.

The older women are dressed similarly. The men are distinguished from the opposite gender by wearing blue robes. The sun has set and the candles, which cost R3 at the local spazza shop, are lighted. There is one candle offering its light to the Bible on the table where the Archbishop ,Vuyolwethu Booi, hovers. Seven others give light to the small cardboard and zinc structure which they call their spiritual home.

Uniting Church in Zion was founded in 2001 and it is one of many such charismatic churches in the area that compete with the traditional Anglican and Methodist churches. Pastor Noyibi, who has been a senior pastor at the church for the last three years, says that “Zion uses the drums to talk to God,” he puts on his olive green robe that shows his position in the church, “we sing and we pray while playing the drums and the Holy Spirit comes down”. The use of this particular instrument hints towards the Africanism that is imbedded within this church and the role of culture in the broader society.

The Wednesday evening service is for sole purpose

of blessing water-water that will heal and transformand after the water is blessed members of the small and intimate congregation drink it. First the men go forward and receive the water from the pastor, then the women follow. Afterwards it is the youth and the children will go last. The idea of patriarchy and an informal hierarchy exists also within the sanctuary of the spirit world. The Bible says in Titus that women must be taught how to be sober and how to love their husbands and children.

They must be taught how to good, chaste, keepers of the home and obedient to their husbands so that the word of God is not blasphemed. The way that rituals are performed in church reflects such scriptures.

The churches in Vukani are centres of unity but this unity is still subjective. Each church follows its own set of rules and has its own uniform. Each one believes that their approach to faith is correct and all the other houses of worship are misleading the community. This leads to a divided society which is supposed to stand together which should rather stand together in a time and place where crime is an inevitable part of life The churches are in a fierce batttle with the taverns, which generate an income and keep the local economy of Vukani afloat. As a group of young girls head towards Uniting Church in Zion, where they sing in the choir, a drunken man harasses them and casts darkness over the light they try to bring to the community. An enthusiastic group of primary school boys play soccer at a nearby open field. The young girls attend church midweek. Each youth does what they can to avoid drowning in the criminal and alcoholic ocean that has taken over in Vukani.

“The type of society that people are looking for is not a Christian one,” says Theo Duxbury, the chairperson of the Rhodes University Anglican Society (ANSOC), “it’s hard for a religious group to be inclusive of everyone”. The divisions caused by the various churches is not only experienced by Vukani community members but also by students who find it “socially awkward” to speak about their faith. Theo struggles to speak about the supernatural when he is in a space that forces him and many others to contest their views with the philosophers and scientists who have PhDs to support their claims. All that believers have are books that have been written, translated, re-written and re-translated countless of times.

Theo sits in his clustered office which is located on the fourth floor of the Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Department. He stands out against the white walls that keep him company throughout the week. What ANSOC wants to do this year is to bridge the gap between the students and the Makana residents by venturing to different parts of Grahamstown and visiting churches.

Being able to speak only to those who are like-minded, in the fear that they will be shunned by their peers, excludes some Rhodents from the rest of campus society.

Religion, spirituality, belief, faith or whichever word describes your hope in a higher power more often than not leads to social divisions that cannot be crossed because no one wants to compromise a vital part of who they are. Finding a mutual meeting point is the only way that people of various faiths and even sub-faiths within one religion can work together to better their immediate Makana region.

Pastor Noyibi prepared for a Wednesday evening service.

Photograph Ogone Mokobe.

Members begin to gather for a service inside the Uniting Church of Zion. Photograph by James Vining.

Visit our online interactive website to hear more location news: www.Vuka!.co.za like us on Facebook @Vuka!

Follow us on Instagram @Vuka!

Vuka!

VUKA!

Page 6

Vukani streets become a playground Townships are spaces unlike any other. There is a deep sense of community that runs throughout each one. Neighbours are more like family and children use the streets as their playgrounds. Whether it is racing makeshift cars or playing a game of soccer, their laughter can be heard around every corner. Photographs by James Vining and Catherine Roland.

VUKA!

Page 7 They call me ‘Umkwere kwere’ M

Mohamed Lishar is anything but an umkwere kwere. Photograph by James Vining.

ohamed Lishar stood, leaning on the passenger window He then bribed a truck driver to smuggle him into Zimbabwe. of his car, outside his small spaza shop on the edge of For two days he lay still in the back of the truck, underneath Vukani Township. His arm was outstretched, waving, a pile of blankets, as it made its way South. Once he crossed the as he caught sight of me walking up the dusty path towards him. He Zambezi River into Zimbabwe, no one asked him any questions or was wearing a blue denim T-shirt and black jeans. Underneath he even gave him a second glance. He simply walked straight through wore a sleeveless grey hoodie. This was the shop keeper’s trademark the border, and on 16 January 2010 he finally crossed over into and he had worn it on all our previous meetings.

South Africa. On the other side he was given a 12 day visa and told “They treat us like animals, worse in fact, always calling us to proceed to the nearest home affairs office.

Umakwere kwere,” says Lishar, his face contorting as the words left “My mother was crying when I called her, she thought I was his mouth. Umkwere kwere is a derogatory term for foreigner that dead or in jail because she hadn’t heard from me in months,” says local isiXhosa speakers use. Most immigrants like Lishar, who work Lishar. After receiving his two year visa, he quickly began work as a in the townships, resent the local population because of the segregashop keeper for a Somalian man in Bloemfontein. He was only paid tion and xenophobia they experience.

R1700 a month, including room and board. The shop was sold Lishar was born in Ethiopia, in 1989, where five months later, so he moved to Grahamstown, where he spent most of his childhood. He grew up he worked in another shop for a similar deal. Eventu“They treat us like as a Muslim in humble surroundings with ally he managed to save up enough money to start little money, which made attending school his own spaza shop. animals, worse difficult.

He opened the shop in the coloured district, in fact, always “I never finished, but I did the best I but consecutive robberies quickly drove him could with what I had,” says Lishar, referaway. After selling that shop for R20 000, he calling us ring to his school career. While growing used the money to start the one he owns today in Umakwere kwere,” up he would often travel to Somalia, visiting Vukani. family, so he learned to speak both Somali His dream is to get to the United States of Amerand Amharic. In 2009 he immigrated to Somalia ica and finish school. All he needs is a refugee passport, along with his mother and older brother. He also has which is pending, and to save up enough money to pay the two sisters who are married and settled there.

R45 000 bribe to get him on a plane to Brazil.

Money was tight. He spent a year in Somalia doing odd jobs Lishar is currently supporting both his parents and older and playing for a soccer club but he soon realised that he had to brother with the marginal amount of money he earns every month. leave. The civil war between the Somali Armed Forces and various The money that is left over goes straight back into stock for his shop. rebel groups meant that it was almost impossible for him to build a He had planned to visit his family, who he has not seen in almost life for himself there. six years, as soon as his passport arrived. Unfortunately at the end If you are young in Somalia the government thinks you are Alof last year his shop was destroyed and all his stock stolen during an Shabaab, says Lishar. Al-Shabaab, meaning ‘the youth’ is a militant outburst of xenophobic violence. He lost over R50 000 and is still rebel group based in Somalia. So he decided to move to South Aftrying to restore his shop to its former glory. rica. His first stop on the way was Kenya where he worked for three Mohamed Lishar is anything but umakwere kwere, he works months, and then continued on to Tanzania, staying only a few days. hard to support his family, who are half a continent away. No In Zambia, Lishar was detained by police officers for entering matter what tragedies befall him he always manages to pick himself the country illegally. They demanded $500 for his release. Luckily, up again. He deserves respect and admiration, but sadly receives he had a cousin in Canada who immediately sent him the money. nothing but disdain.

GAP

Bridging the language L

anguage is an issue that affects many students at Rhodes University. English is considered the ‘language of power’ and is dominant over all other languages. If a student’s English is not adequate enough he or she immediately experiences a bridge in the language gap.

In most universities, including Rhodes University, English is used as the language of instruction.

South Africa has 11 different official languages and because of this a vast majority of Rhodents are multilingual and even more importantly, do not consider English to be their first language. This means that many of our students are being taught in a language that they do not fully understand. In the past several years universities have tried to accommodate students with African languages as their first language or mother tongue. It has become a very big issue and even plays a large role in the transformation movement.

The issue originates even before tertiary education. Most township schools, including some of those in Grahamstown, have predominately isiXhosa mother-tongue speakers. Although they are taught in En-

glish, the level of English required to excel on a university level is not reached while still in high school.

Professor George Euvrard, the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course co-ordinator at Rhodes University, believes that this has a lot to do with the teachers and staff as well as the students. He says that the issue is beyond high school children having to study in English therefore they do poorly. It has a lot more to do with the general failing school system. “Any language taught badly is to the detriment of the learners,” he says. Part of the problem is that English is not taught properly at high school level and suddenly these students are in university and English is their language of instruction.

In 2012 Professor Euvrard started a community engagement programme to address this very issue.

It is called Siyafunisana (we teach each other). Additionally, the PGCE students are required to take isiXhosa as a subject. For practice, the students visit the local Ntsika High School to teach grade eight learners.

There is a mutually beneficial relationship that forms between the high school learners and the university students. The students are exposed to teaching prac-

tices and learning isiXhosa while the learners improve their English.

Since colonialism, the teaching and learning of African Languages at schools have been so limited to mother-tongue speakers of the languages concerned.

These policies have never been extended to include non-mother tongue speakers to learn African languages.

African languages have remained foreign to the school curriculum of Afrikaans and English-speaking children. How are universities addressing this historical issue? Rhodes University has attempted, according to the Department of African Languages, to encourage students to learn isiXhosa for certain types of degrees, like educational studies and for journalism. It has become compulsory for journalism students seeking a career in the field to take isiXhosa.

Dr Pamella Maseko is a lecturer for the isiXhosa for Journalism (IFJ) class. She stresses not only how important learning IsiXhosa at university is but also how beneficial it is to her students’ careers. Language carries a lot of power she believes. Students should be able to respect one another’s languages and by re-

specting one another, they learn to understand different language-associated practices. “In isiXhosa,” she says, “there are certain ways people greet or refer to those that are older than them. It requires a level of respect.”

Rhodes university students live in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape where isiXhosa is a predominant language, it would only benefit students to be taught the language through courses such as IsiXhosa for Journalism. Dr Maseko believes greatly that her course is a necessary and important step in creating empathetic and respectful journalists. Even further, her course creates a bridge between two very separated and strong languages: IsiXhosa and English.

The learning curriculum as well as the teaching policy at Rhodes University and other Universities in South Africa must consider the great and beautiful diversity of languages and cultures that our country has. It must allow students to flourish using their own languages. SRC media counsellor, Tuletu Nelani is adamant that “students should be given the opportunity to be in a space where they can express themselves and be assessed in their own language.”

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When hungry men become angry men Many Rhodes University students will remember the sudden outburst of xenophobic violence that took place in the townships surrounding Grahamstown in October last year. For most of us it is a distant memory but for the foreign nationals who lost everything it is still a living nightmare.

The violent attacks swept through the townships on 21 October 2015 and spilled over onto the street of Grahamstown when community members began looting the shops owned by foreign nationals. After police servers finally quelled the unruly mob, more than 400 shops had been looted and brought to the ground.

“A hungry man becomes an angry man,” says Andy-Boy Limba, a social worker for the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM). The social worker explains that many people in the community are starving and frustrated at the lack of support from the government. He believes this to be the reason for the unprovoked attacks, as desperate people are envious of the foreign nationals’ success.

“I’ve heard of things like this happening in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg but I never thought it would happen in Grahamstown,” says Mohamed Lishar, owner of Xolani spaza shop, recalling how he and other immigrants were driven from their homes. The violence was spurred by rumours that a Pakistani man was responsible for the murder and mutilation of multiple women in the area. The rumours were quickly disproved but that could not restore the quality of life that so many had already lost.

The foreign nationals have since returned to their homes and businesses, and are now trying to reintegrate back into the community. Bashka Kadir,

the owner of the Mr Cheap spaza shop, explains Unique services like these allow Mbotyi, and other believes that most of the immigrants are here illegalhow he is back to where he started when he first like her, to care for their children. ly, and that they drove away local amaXhosa shops arrived in South Africa. The Somalian shop owner, While many residents are thankful that the shop by undercutting them. who has been in Vukani Township for the last 10 keepers have returned, some remain sceptical. Local It is clear that there are many complex social years, lost everything in a single day. Kadir estimates resident, Thandiswa Motsolo still believes a foreign issues in townships like Vukani, which are not being that he lost over R80 000 in stock during the looting. national is responsible for the multiple murders addressed, and desperately deserve the public’s atLike many other foreign nationals, Kadir and Lishar that occurred last year and is angry that nothing is tention. Shop owners continue to remain vigilant, as are working tirelessly to restock their shops and earn being done about it. Others resent them for different some residents are grateful for their presence while a living. reasons. others simply tolerate them for the services they “If it happened once it can happen again, we are “They did not fight with us against the Apartprovide. For now, tensions have subsided, but with ‘soft’ targets,” says Lishar. Like many other foreign heid regime, and now they want to reap the rewards the after effects of the xenophobic attacks, “for how shop owners, Lishar is afraid that this is just the of our democracy,” says Limba. The social worker long?” is a question in its self. beginning of these attacks and that they can only rely on one another for help. He has little faith in police services, as according to him they did little to intervene when the looting occurred.

Kadir explains that the community was happy to have them back. Spaza shops like Mr Cheap are not just convenient, they are the life blood of these communities. The community’s’ very existence depend on them.

Lusanda Nlay, a local resident, describes how his family went days without electricity while the shops were vacant. The spaza shops provide important necessities such as electricity, airtime, and affordable groceries. Without these services residents have to travel into town, which costs roughly R16 there and back. On top of the travel expenses, the inflated food prices in town make this option unaffordable for most.

Nocawa Mbotyi, a local resident who is glad to have shop keepers back, explains how they help her out all the time with groceries. The shops sell single items of all their products, and often just give customers things when they are short on money.

Andy- Boy Limba, a social worker for the UPM inside his home in Vukani. Photograph by James Vining.

Rental inflation threatens Grahamstown business R

ental increment for houses in Grahamstown, Vukani Estate is seen to be at a peak. Bashka Kadir a business man from Somalia has established Mr Cheap, a spaza shop in Vukani. He explains that this has been the case over the years. Rental prices rose by 20% or more leading to business strains in Vukani that threatened the smooth operation of the businesses.

While residents of Grahamstown view the increment as a normalcy, Grocotts Mail reports rental demands are set to rise nationwide in the coming month. “The xenophobic attacks that happened late last year affected the rent situation for some foreigners who wanted to keep their businesses running,” says Mohammed Lishar.

In addition to the security issues they face in Vukani, the shop owners are liable for any damage of property. “When the house gets broken into the responsibility is on the shop owner and they keep increasing the rent anyway,” Sinoxolo Ncipa.

Kadir explains that he has owned his shop since 2005. The increment on rental prices in the township is not as bad as the increase of rent in town. This explains why they prefer to run their business in Vukani. The customer loyalty established over the years is another reason for maintaining their business in Vukani. Poverty is a dominant issue in the township and the value of the rented houses converted into shops may not suit business owners. They overlook this factor as they need to continue earning an income, explains Ncipa.

Addise Achiso a shop owner at Vukani has learnt to face the increment of rent by law. He has rented his shop for the past six years, 2016 being his seventh. Achiso made a court agreement with his landlord that the increment of rent can only be made after every decade. This enables him to run his business swiftly.

With the increasing rental prices by the year many residents of Vukani rely on their businesses to bring in profit to sustain their families and ensure they continue living a decent lifestyle.

Houses that are dilapidated still have high rental rates. Photograph by James Vining.

VUKA!

Page 9 An evening with Sinazo

S

inazo Manyati dances to the beat of the drums playing in her head.

She is constantly moving, talking, dancing and laughing. She and a few of her friends are about to attend a church service in Vukani. Every Wednesday and Sunday a few of the community members, mostly children and elders, get together in a shack behind one of the church elders houses and spend hours praising God. Manyati starts humming hymns as she moves up the hill towards the church. The wonderful drums can be heard now and her memento increases. All she wants to do is sing.

Manyati’s mother says that the family has been living in Vukani since 1996. She grew up there surrounded by the playful children that are all adults now. There is an endless spectrum of youth personality here, from those that turned into trouble makers to those like Manyati, who prefer to attend church on Wednesday evenings, rather than getting lost in the world of the rebellious youngsters. It is not to say that she has shunned that world entirely. As she walks up to her house to change into a formal skirt, a requirement at her church as she cannot wear pants to the service, several groups of high school children greet her and pull her in for a chat. She spends most of her time with the group that her popular boyfriend is a part of. It is in that moment when one sees how young she really is; how full of life and vibrant this 18-year-old girl is. Her entire life is ahead of her.

Manyati lives in a modest house, although it is arguably, one of the most stylishly furnished houses on the block. She rushes to iron her formal skirt because she knows her boyfriend has made her very late. Manyati is used to this though. At 5.30am she wakes up every morning, gets her uniform prepped, and heads off to Nombulelo High School in Joza on foot.

“After so many years of doing it, I am used to it,” she says and reckons that she’s gained independence this way.

Because she has grown up there her whole life she feels like it is rather boring at times. Her two close friends live in Joza and she only sees them at school. At home, she has got her best mate of many years, Siyabonga Mfecane.

Their friendship dynamic is almost sibling-like. Manyati teases him, and his shy nature allows for this because she has a much stronger character. “She’s talkative,” he says this annoyingly and she laughs because she knows it is true.

Then he gets serious.

“She’s very kind,” he says caringly and she nods in agreement. Her kindness is shown by her love for children. She says it herself that she understands children so she can be kinder to them. As she walks into the church, she immediately goes to dance with the little ones that attend services most often and they embrace her in their dance. “She wants to help everyone, however she can.”

Both Mfecane and Sinazo’s sister, Nandipha Manyati say this so lovingly about her.

Manyati is not only beauty and kindness, she’s also incredibly intelligent. “She comes home,” her mother begins, “cooks, sleeps a lot and does her homework every day.” Manyati goes to school every day and although this may seem like the norm to certain communities, it is not always the case in Vukani.

“She’s very smart,” Mfecane says and Manyati adds, “I do pure maths, I like solving ‘x’,” By far the biggest indicator of her studious lifestyle is her wish to attend university. Manyati likes her Economics and Business classes and wants to further her education in these fields. However, she’s not sure how to get there.

There are two enormous obstacles in her way and they are arguably built on lack of information.

“I’d like to go to university, but not Rhodes because if you apply at Rhodes you must have a higher mark. They are very strict. I do good in a school but I am not getting 90%,” She says. Her main concern is that her marks won’t be good enough. Rhodes University works on a point system so Manyati’s marks will suffice and exceed the 45pt allocation for a general Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Commerce degree but she doesn’t know this because no one has ever told her how it works. This does not solve her other problem, a problem that most township high-school students face. It is the issue of finances.

When asked about the financial situation in terms of attending university, Manyati almost seemed uncomfortable. She did not even want to think of the issue of financial aid. The financial aid office at Rhodes University sets out the different bursaries and scholarships available to students, but if Sinzazo or any other student for that matter, doesn’t apply or look into it, it is impossible for them to receive one.

Manyati is worried about her future but she has found herself quite settled comfortably in her present situation. She has good family and friends, a supporting church, a kind heart and a loving nature. For now, she will continue to dance to the constant beat of the drums playing in her head.

Top left image: Siya(17) and Sinazo (18) are inseparable friends. Top middle image: Sinazo’s family welcomes a newborn. Top right image: Siya(18) is a huge part of Sinazo’s life.

Centre image: Sinazo , a teenager full of life. Photographs by Kelia Losa Reinoso.

A woman of contentment H

er youthful charisma and energy sells her short of her well in 46- years of age. Jennifer Noziphioo is a mother of two children. Her first born being 22-years-old and her last born is 11-years-old. Noziphioo meets me by the foyer of the Chemistry department at Rhodes University which she refers to as her second home. With a firm handshake she takes brisk steps towards the bench next to the door while waving at a student that passes by. She seems to feel just as she mentioned, at home.

She spent most of her life in the township. She explains that it is not particularly easy to evade poverty and make something out of oneself. “As I was growing up many girls and boys did not have ambition but that is something that is slowly fading away,” says Noziphioo. Most people from her social background live an ordinary life with ordinary expectations and are satisfied with ordinary things. Lacking purpose and ambition are some of the things that she has struggled with and finally overcomes with prayer as she is a devoted Christian.

Noziphioo started working at Rhodes University in 2004 and for the past 12 years has been a dedicated domestic worker of the University. She started working at the Union

building of Rhodes University with a salary of R2,100 per month and since then has gradually seen herself grow to earning a salary of R6,100 today. When mentioning the protests that happened late last year concerning the increment of worker’s pay she holds a firm stand of being content with what she earns and is only hoping for better. “If you are happy at a place then money is not a problem,” says Noziphioo.

‘Bread winner of her family’ is her proud title as she takes care of her children, siblings and parents. This has not been an easy job as she tries to find a balance between work and family. “I work eight hours a day except weekends and this does not allow me enough time with my family,” she says. Her fear of not spending enough time with her family is that her children will lack a proper role model. This brings her to speak of her brother who has previously been involved in gang violence and is currently living with her as he has nowhere else to go. Many have discouraged her from letting him in, even their own parents but she claims that for her compassion is what makes us human.

Noziphioo has created great relationships with the students she interacts with every day as well as her colleagues. Wendy Douglas a fellow colleague at the Chemistry department describes Noziphioo as a kind Christian who

explains that good relationships have brought her a long way.

Nontuthuzelo Faku, Noziphioo’s supervisor at the Chemistry department happens to be one of her closest friends and this she says helps her cope with work better. “Having someone to speak to is important and the same way people always come to me, I need someone to go to,” says Noziphioo. Retirement is not a question in mind for her as she claims to still have a long way to go.

Like any other hard worker Noziphioo has dreams of a better future. Moving to Vukani was a big step for her as she explains that she has had a very rough past in I-street, the colored area in Grahamstown where she lived for most of her youth. Her dreams at this point in life are not solely her own. She imagines a picturesque life where her children succeed in life. She will only rest and feel fulfilled when both her children graduate from University preferably Rhodes University. “I do not want my children far away, so I can keep an eye on them and keep reminding them why they are in school,” says Noziphioo.

A new day shows great promise in her life. She tells her story of a thousand words in a few minutes. A story of love, compassion, faith, determination and hard work all while keeping up such a radiant smile. For Noziphioo with con-

is a problem solver. With her kind and loving nature she

tentment is the only way she chooses to continue living life.

Jennifer Noziphioo (46) wears her work uniform with pride.

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Page 10

Mama Agnes with

Mama Agnes (left) and Nandipha(right) watch over the children at Bavumelani Nursary.

Photogrpah by Ogone Mokobe.

T

he bubbly sound of playful 2-year-old children greets you as you enter the gates of the Rhini Seventh Day Adventist Church. The chilly morning air does not hinder their joyful spirits as their voices bounce off the blue walls of their classroom, filling the room with life.

This is the sound that has been welcoming Agnes Listton, a mother and a teacher, since 1998 when the Bavumelani Nursery was first founded.

Mama Agnes, as she is lovingly known by the 21 children that she nurtures, has always had a passion for children. The social circumstances in Vukani in Grahamstown means that there are always children who are left vulnerable in her community because of unemployment and HIV/AIDS leaving many families at a disadvantage.

“Mama Agnes is not just a mother to the children but to us as well,” says Priscilla Peter who teaches at Uzuko Lwakhe Pre-School along with Nandipha Madoko, “we turn to her for help.”

“Our aim is to send [the] children to grade one with coping skills and the ability to concentrate” says Mama Agnes who arrives at the crèche long before her children file in at 7.30am, to make sure that that day’s programme is in order. It is women such as Mama Agnes who set the foundation for a fruitful schooling career.

It is no accident that Bavumelani Nursery and Uzuko Lwakhe PreSchool both share a yard with the Rhini Seventh Day Adventist Church.

abantwana bakhe

Choir time for the children of Bavumelani Nursary. Photograph by Ogone Mokobe.

Bavumelani when loosely translated means believers and Uzuko Lwakhe means His word. The purpose of these schools is to nourish the belief of the children by teaching them the Word. Among the colourful picture books that line the shelf is a hand-written poster that reads: ‘people can be forgiven for every sinful thing they say but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit then he will not be forgiven’. This is a verse that is taken from Matthew 12 and is a reminder of what is expected and is acceptable once the children enter the classroom. Bible study and prayer time have been specially allocated on the day-to-day programme in between all the creative activities and music exercises. Mama Agnes not only takes care of the school but is also a loyal member of the church that has been shielding the two schools for years.

“The R150 that is paid by each child is not enough,” says Mama Agnes who does not receive funding from the Makana municipality, “we need more books and a better chalk board.” The concerned educator cannot ask her learner’s parents for more money as R150 is what most of them can afford.

When she is not taking care of what will become the future leaders of eRhini then Mama Agnes is spending time with her family and attending to her spiritual duties.

In 2004, 1 303 016 children registered for grade one but only 801 688 of

Mama Agnes is seen as a second mother to the children of Uzuko Lwakhe Pre-School. Photograph by Ogone Mokobe.

those first graders sat down for the final matric examinations in 2015. This means that 500 000 learners left school some time during their schooling careers. These statistics only emphasise the important role the Mama Agnes’s of our communities play in making sure that the ones who are going to carry this country forward are adequately prepared to take on the first hurdle that is first grade.

The Rhodes University Education Department only began operating in 2015 but already they have formed relationships with the local pre-primary schools. “Every student goes out once a week to read to a child,” says Foundation Phase lecturer Zukiswa Kahlane, “children are curious and there is a lot we can do at Foundation Phase.” The department’s focus is on the Grahamstown pre-schools but they want to extend their contribution to the pre-primary schools that are informally run all over the townships.

The second years are required to go to the Good Shepherd to read to their learners every Tuesday as part of their curriculum.

These children are the future of the community. With this in mind, even though there is a lot of work to be done to improve the standard of the local pre-primary and primary schools, with the help of the Rhodes University Education Department and passionate members of the community such as Mama Agnes, all the children of eRhini can have access to a good quality education.

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Page 11

Pholaz will leave you feeling phola’ed

T

he music calls out to your senses, the minute you step out of the car you enter another dimension. A dimension where all the faces are new, different, and eager to get the night started. These faces are not the faces of strangers because at Pholaz we are all connected by the energy in the air, getting high off the atmosphere and getting lost in the magic created by the man behind sound equipment.

Cars parked outside with boots open and speakers vibrating simply give you a taste of what to expect when you enter. A place where the politician, the shoe-maker and the school teacher all come together to shed off the stress of the past week. Your feet start moving involuntarily to the soulful music, your heart starts beating to its rhythm as the surrounding speakers shake your en-

are given and empty bottles are replaced with overflowing buckets.

Looks are exchanged between newcomers and old faces, and the excitement in the room rises. As your blood slowly turns into alcohol, confidence increases and more people get up to dance, allowing the electricity in the air to separate them from all those who are watching.

Pholaz is an escape, a place where your soul takes on the nature of the bright lights inside. Your shoulders are no longer weighing down on your body as the warm faces make you forget about the assignments that are due. The chances of you running into a classmate at the corner of that badly lit street are near impossible.

You leave unwillingly, either because you can no

tire being, forcing you from the comfort of your bench.

I looked into the faces of the dancers, the talkers sitting in groups and the drinkers who regularly fumbled to the bar for refills, and I saw energy. Energy that was so raw it was almost tangible.

Salty, spicy braaivleis drew attention to my empty stomach and reminded me of the explosive adventure that my taste buds go on when semi-charred meat greets alcohol. The aroma filled the air, competing with tobacco smoke and further leaving my senses in a haze.

Time moved smoothly, like the DJ’s hands moving over the decks, feeding the crowd that grew by the hour.

People trickled in, their greetings and laughter regularly being heard over the DJ’s creations. The dance floor was surrounded by large black speakers, forming a wall of sound that protected the sacred space where no cares

longer tell your left foot from your right, or because the owner now wants to close shop. The cars parked outside continue playing music, showing off their expensive sound systems. Drinks keep flowing as glasses and bottles of whiskey, that a Motswana cannot pronounce, exchange hands.

The night eases into dawn and even though the temperature has dropped, the alcohol blanket stays on.

Eventually fatigue sets in and bodies syncopate towards their cars. The street is left empty as each one returns home to either sleep or welcome the Sunday sunrise.

The music is no longer playing but still echoes in your ears. It continues to play in your head but your feet can no longer keep up. Pholaz leaves you feeling phola’ed (relaxed) and you smile to yourself knowing that the following Saturday you will be at it again.

Car outside Pholaz drops the bass. Photograph by Sheyvonne Mainka.

Top image: Happiness fills the air at Pholaz. Middle right image: Pholaz’ braai master in his element. Photographs by Sheyvonne Mainka.

Regulars at Pholaz dancing until the sun rises. Photograph by Sheyvonne Mainka.

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Page 12

Meet the team

Kelia Losa Reinoso Editor Writer Catherine Roland Designer Writer Photographer

Sheyvonne Mainka Sub-editor Writer Photographer

Ogone Mokobe Sub-editor Writer

James Vining Photography editor Photographer Writer

Illustrations by Emily Swan

VUKA!

Vuka! is brought to you by Rhodes University