UWC 360 Issue 4-Draft 4 3/13/13 8:07 AM Page 6 C
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UWC is a research-rich environment: the University's research output, in the form of books, book chapters and journal articles, has increased by 70% since 2005
Alumnus fights for farm worker’s rights
From herd-boy to an academic
The story regarding the farm workers’ protest in the Western Cape in recent months would not be complete without the mention of Nosey Pieterse. Pieterse, who obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) at UWC serves as the president of the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry (Bawsi) and as the secretary-general of the Bawsi Agricultural Workers’ Union of South Africa (Bawusa), He believes the violent protests, which allegedly claimed the lives of three people and left several others injured, could have been averted if the Human Rights Commission, churches, the government and the media had taken heed of his warnings regarding the potential outbreak of these protests. “Two months before the strike broke out in November, I asked these institutions to come and witness the atrocities that were committed against my people, but no one listened,” says Pieterse. In 2011 Pieterse conducted research on sixty-five farms within the Western Cape. He found that farmworkers were living in poor conditions, were underpaid and that their human rights were being infringed. The research findings led to a list of twentyone demands being drawn up, which in turn led to protest action by farmworkers in the Western Cape. With the protests suspended, Pieterse now faces the task of assisting workers who were dismissed for participating in the strike to return to work and is working on the release of those who were arrested. Pieterse believes UWC shaped his political thinking. “I’m proud to say I’m from UWC,” says Pieterse.
Composite
Luyanda Dyasopu is a third year Bachelor of Science (BSc) student at UWC with amazing drive and confidence.
Luyanda Dyasopu is a third year Bachelor of Science (BSc) student at UWC. His mother passed away when he was in grade six, and his father a year later. Dyasopu and his eleven cousins were subsequently raised by his grandmother. “It was tough when I grew up,” says Dyasopu. “I was the only one of the children who went to school and even though we did not have food sometimes, I had to complete my household chores, which included herding the cattle and the sheep”. After matriculating in 2007 from Mzikayise Dalasile Senior Secondary School in Engcobo, Eastern Cape, Dyasopu applied for a student bursary and his application was approved. However, due to financial constraints he could not afford the application and registration fees. “Granny was a pensioner and could not afford to take care of all of us and still send me to university,” says Dyasopu. In 2010, Dyasopu pursued his quest for a degree again and was accepted at UWC. He managed to raise bus fare, but upon arriving in Cape Town another tragedy struck. “Only a few minutes after I got off the phone with my granny to tell her about
my journey to Cape Town, another call came in to inform me of her passing.” His first year at varsity was miserable. “I had problems throughout my first year of tertiary education, because I had no money for food, toiletries and no pocket money. Fortunately, I had explained my situation to many people and the Financial Aid Office at the University was able to assist me with my fees”. Currently Dyasopu is involved in the Achievers Alleviation Programme at UWC, which is aimed at matriculants in the UWC vicinity and offers counselling and advice to prospective students who may be facing a similar predicament. Dyasopu participated in this year’s orientation programme by volunteering to be a Peer Facilitator (PF) for first year students. “I tell these first year students my story as a means to motivate them, not because I want pity”. When asked whether he had any advice for those who might be facing a similar situation, Dyasopu responds: “It is not a person’s past that should determine who the person is, but rather the ambitions and the goals they set for themselves”.