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From the editor...
I’m not entirely sure how I’m meant to sign in as your Editor for the 2026 term, so I’ll just jump straight into it. No introductions needed. Here goes the major cliché that every famous celebrity lays down – I’m going to quote ABBA for this one. “Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk.” Well, in my case, Gran Gran would tell you I’ve been writing out words and stories since the day I could hold a wax crayon.
I can remember sitting in our back room drawing pictures in an A4 soft cover exercise book – my first big novel. I don’t think there was ever a time I wasn’t trying to fill up a notebook with some sort of story. But everyone does that, right? At some point, we all want to be writers, filling up as many pages as possible. Fast forward to primary school: I wrote a poem about the solar system in grade 6. It got quite a bit of attention, and I spent the rest of primary school filling 2 notebooks with cheesy schoolgirl poetry. We’ve all started those notebooks, but how many of you can say that you finished one? Well, I can say that I’ve finished 3. Not that anyone will ever read those (hehe). I’ll be taking those notes to my grave. And then, for our grade 7 Career Day,
I went as a writer, boldly assuming I’d be able to make a living from poetry. I took that passion for writing into high school and wherever I went, I was jotting down poetry. Again, it was super cheesy. But there I was, making sure every thought was materialised. I even got called in to the counsellor’s office because the one I wrote in a moment of boredom on the back of my maths exam was “a bit too emotional”. As it does, life got busy, and the thoughts stopped getting sprawled out on paper. I can’t even remember when last I sat down and wrote a poem. University happened, and I joined the paper and had to pump out pitches like my life depended on it. Yet even in the hustle, in those “mini-journo” articles, I was that little girl sitting in our green-roofed Malvern East home, scribbling dreams in an A4 exercise book. I blinked, and suddenly, I was sitting in the PDBY office meeting the Entertainment team I’d hired as Entertainment Editor. And now here we are, writing this editorial piece as the Editor. So yes, as cliché as it is, writing has always been a part of my life. Just storytelling in general. Ask anyone – given the opportunity, I’ll yap until the sun goes down, and then some.
As a BA General student, I have no idea what the future holds for me. But whatever it is, I know that writing is going to fall into that somehow, and I will indeed make a lovely little life off of these words that keep my head buzzing at night. I’m just about exploding, I have so much to say. And now, I have a whole editorial and newspaper to play around with during this new season of words.
I can already feel the passion, love, and care flowing from my Editorial. Especially my Deputy, Jason. Yes, I’ll be the one writing these pieces and making all the final calls. But trust me, there isn’t an idea that doesn’t go by him. So, I can confidently tell you that this next term is going to be a glorious one.
Pure faith has gotten me here. Many of those poems were prayers, those stories were conversations with Jesus about a life I would like to live. And here we are, living out His plan. This red thread has been the gentle sowing of God’s hand over my life. You can bet little me, sitting drawing silly little pictures for her bestselling novel, is unbelievably grateful to all those Godblessed moments that have gotten me to officially signing in as your Editor. May this be a term filled with grace, kindness, passion, and most importantly, love.
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Domonique Bennetts
Letter policy yourcampusnews.
PDBYMedia, formerly Perdeby, is the official independent student newspaper of the University of Pretoria. We are committed to providing fresh and entertaining news content for UP students, by UP students, about UP issues.
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It’s Time We Face the Unstoppable Rise of AI at UP
Datis du Preez
It is time that we confront the reality of artificial intelligence (AI).
Recently, the University of Cape Town (UCT) announced their plans to stop using AI detection software for student assignments. This begs the question: is the University of Pretoria (UP) adequately preparing students for a world driven by AI? One way that UP is addressing AI literacy is through the compulsory Academic Information Management (AIM) module for first-year students. The problem is that, despite efforts to teach ethical use of this technology, students find ways to bypass security measures to produce fraudulent work.
UCT Leaves AI Detection Software in the Past UCT made national headlines when they reported that they will stop using AI detection software, such as Turnitin, effective 1 October. The university adopted an AI in Education Framework that, as reported by UCT’s news page, will further literacy and academic integrity in terms of AI use. Additionally, the university will move towards “future-ready” curricula.
This boils down to the fact that AI detection software has proven to be unreliable. Their approach aims to ensure that students are equipped to integrate AI into their studies and professions without shying away from a rapidly changing world. The announcement has, obviously, been met with a combination of praise and controversy. However, it is important to teach students how to use these technologies ethically. In a televised interview with Newzroom Afrika, the head of UCT’s Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching Sukaina Walji explains that a different approach must be taken in assessing students. “AI is here. Students are using [AI] tools, and so assessment strategies need to change,” she said.
Academic Information Management
UP has implemented various methods to equip students with the necessary skills needed to excel in a world dominated by AI. One of the ways that UP is doing this is by teaching AI literacy through the AIM module presented to the majority of first-year students. PDBY had the opportunity to interview Mrs Pariksha Singh and Ms Jayshree Harangee from the AIM Department to gain insight into what the module’s goals are.
Q: How does AIM address AI literacy to equip students for the future?
A: AI literacy is newly founded in AIM, and the curriculum is being updated as AI evolves. In the Information Literacy section, new topics were added to ensure [that] students understand and can navigate the landscape of artificial intelligence and generative AI, thereby preparing them for future interactions with these technologies in an academic and potentially professional context. We have also introduced prompt development and integration with the MS Office suite.
Q: Why is it important to be able to use AI software/applications?
A: As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly influences how individuals access information, communicate, and make decisions, developing AI literacy has become essential for navigating daily life, fostering purposeful creation, and preparing for the evolving landscape of learning and work. AI literacy is crucial for equipping both learners and educators to comprehend the inherent risks and opportunities presented by AI, enabling them to make meaningful and ethical decisions regarding its application.
It empowers learners to critically evaluate AI’s impact on their lives, educational journeys, and communities, thereby preparing them to actively shape the future. Recognising this growing imperative, modules [like] AIM are integrating AI literacy into their curriculums. The primary objective of modules like AIM 111 and AIM 121 is to enable students to find, evaluate, process, manage, and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology. This demonstrates a proactive step towards ensuring students are proficient in understanding and interacting with AI technologies, thereby enhancing their preparedness for future academic and professional challenges. However, to fully realise the potential of AI literacy in shaping learning, several key barriers to implementation must be addressed. These include a prevailing lack of a shared understanding of what constitutes AI literacy and effective pedagogical approaches for teaching it, as well as uncertaint how AI seamlessly integrates into various subject areas.
Q: How do you integrate critical thinking about AI (e.g. ethical and legal implications) into the module, ensuring that students do not over-rely on AI? A: Integrating critical thinking about AI into AIM involves teaching students to critically question and assess any AI-generated information, including its ethical and legal implications, while structuring activities that require independent reasoning and verification beyond AI outputs. We try to foster ethical awareness by addressing AI’s societal, privacy, and bias issues and encouraging reflective dialogue around responsible AI use. To avoid over-reliance, guidelines should emphasise AI as a supportive tool rather than a primary solution, include active student engagement with data and problem-solving without AI, and promote continuous critical inquiry through questioning and comparison with multiple sources. We are working on this and hoping to implement this soon, not just in AIM, but I am sure in many other subjects as well.
A: Importantly, the majority of assessments in AIM are designed to be simulation- or project-based. This format inherently supports meaningful student learning through active engagement with authentic tasks. In these assessments, students do not merely consume AI-generated outputs passively. Rather, they must critically interact with AI tools to replicate, apply, and demonstrate skills within the prescribed platforms. Consequently, the use of AI in select instances becomes a catalyst for deeper learning as students develop hands-on expertise by working directly with tools where the skill is expected to be replicated in professional contexts.
Thus, project-based assessments function dually as evaluative measures and immersive learning experiences that effectively balance AI utilisation with essential human cognitive engagement. Where we have assessments that AI can output an answer to, we are busy changing these assessments so students need to use critical thinking instead. We are still in the process of not wanting to discourage AI usage, but we want to ensure that students use the tool correctly and ethically. Academic dishonesty through the outsourcing of assessments is a challenge that extends beyond AI Literacy to higher education as a whole. Many students outsource parts or entire assessments for various reasons, which threatens academic standards and student learning. At AIM, we have taken active steps to address this issue by introducing inclass tests that require physical attendance, emphasising the critical role of presence in acquiring essential skills and completing assessments. This has resulted in reduced weighting of traditional assignments, making it more difficult for students to rely solely on outsourced work. The commercial sale of assessment services represents a serious breach of academic integrity, and there must be consequences not only for students who engage in such misconduct but also for those who provide these services. In response, [the AIM department] has engaged [with] the university’s legal department to address these challenges with the necessary expertise. We have also enforced university regulations that have led to reprimands for students found guilty of academic dishonesty in the past. Combating outsourcing requires a collaborative approach involving assessment design, student engagement, institutional policy, and legal measures to uphold the credibility and value of higher education qualifications.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to students who want to use AI responsibly to enhance their learning (rather than replace it) in the context of AIM?
Q: Some students, unfortunately, often rely on AI tools to assist them in completing tasks, especially in completing AIM assignments. Some even sell their services to other students. Is this a growing problem? What are the consequences for using AI tools (or selling one’s “expertise”) to complete assignments?
A: We welcome this mindset and will encourage students to ethically utilise AI to enhance their learning by guiding them during sessions on the ethical and appropriate use of AI. We also want to make students aware that AI should be used as a tool rather than a shortcut. Students should also verify AI information and maintain academic integrity.
Visual: Sourced
From Campus to Community: M- P owerment Care in the Running for SA Heroes Award
Relebogile Manana
M-Powerment Care, a student-founded non-profit organisation rooted in the University of Pretoria (UP) community, has been nominated for the Community Service Award at the 2025 South African Heroes Awards.
Founded in 2021 during the aftermath of COVID-19, the organisation began with a handful of UP students that distributed just 300 sandwiches to homeless people. From those humble beginnings, it has grown into an initiative focused on community upliftment, social impact, and education, with students volunteering their time and resources to respond to the needs of the communities.
The organisation’s motto is captured in its guiding belief – “The need is the call to responsive action”. For the founding students, witnessing hunger, educational barriers, and social struggles in their communities was enough to inspire collective action. “Small acts of kindness, when done collectively, can make a huge difference,” Similo Siyenga, a member of the society, explained.
This year’s nomination is seen as both humbling and affirming for the group.
“We don’t do what we do for recognition, but knowing that the work of M-Powerment Care is being seen and acknowledged is incredibly encouraging,” Siyenga said. “It’s a reminder that the long hours, the challenges, and the sacrifices are worth it because lives are being touched.”
For the UP community, the recognition highlights the university’s role not only as an academic space but also a hub for future change makers. “It sends a strong message that service is an integral part of student life,” Siyenga emphasised.
Most recently, the organisation remains committed to expanding its education support programmes, community outreach initiatives such as food relief and skills development, and building sustainable partnerships. “Award or no award, our mission stays the same: to serve,” Siyenga said.
The team is now calling on UP students and supporters to help bring the award home by voting You can do this by sending the following message to 47439: SAHA 033 (R3 per SMS, free SMSes don’t apply).
“By voting M-Powerment Care, you’re not just voting for us, you’re voting for the spirit of service, community, and student-led impact.”
Careers That Count: Animal Welfare is More Than Just a Calling
Hannah Hambly
Choosing a professional path that has a meaningful impact on society and animals alike can be both rewarding and transformative. A spokesperson from the SPCA addresses common questions about building a career in animal welfare. Their insights reveal the diversity, professionalism, and real-world value found in this important field. What should people keep in mind when making decisions about their careers?
"A career is a big decision. It shapes not just your future, but the kind of life you want to lead. Many career advisors will tell you to consider three things when deciding on a path: your passion and interests, your desired lifestyle, and your skills and strengths."
Why does animal welfare tend to be overlooked as a professional option?
"For those who love animals, there are usually only a few wellknown options, such as veterinary science, zoology, or environmental conservation. Animal welfare, on the other hand, is often overlooked as a career because it's seen as something you do out of passion, not for a stable income. Perhaps, [it is] more a pursuit for volunteers, hobbyists, or those who can afford to work without financial pressure rather than a solid career path."
Can animal welfare offer diverse career opportunities beyond working in a shelter?
"Did you know that animal welfare offers far more than just shelter work or rescuing animals? Behind every animal rescue is an organisation with many moving parts. A career in this field can involve everything from law and science to education, communications, and business. Think about all it takes to run an animal welfare organisation..."
Can you describe the NSPCA and highlight the skills you need in your workforce?
"The NSPCA is a registered non-profit and is Africa's largest animal welfare organisation. Not only do we ensure the protection of animals of all species, including farm animals, wildlife, and domestic pets, but we also actively work to prevent cruelty and foster compassion and empathy for animals across South Africa. We have several specialised units with trained inspectors who have the authority to take legal action against animal cruelty. Our workforce is made up of people with various skills, such as lawyers, sociologists, and scientists. While they may not have a degree in animal studies, the difference is that everyone at the NSPCA is passionate about upholding animal welfare."
Own the Room: Negotiations in Action
Mpho Mahlangu
“Know your worth, own the room, take up space.” Those are the empowering words that led an enriching event, exuberant audience, and informative discussion. In collaboration with Conscious LeadHers, ABSIP UP, a student society at the University of Pretoria, hosted the Own the Room Event: A Live Case and Confidence Workshop on Negotiation.
Read the full article on pdby.co.za
What are the responsibilities and demands of being an NSPCA inspector?
"The most well-known job at the NSPCA is that of an inspector. Our inspectors undergo rigorous training to ensure [that] they have the knowledge, skills, and experience to act as the frontline defenders of animals. They enforce the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, investigate cruelty, rescue animals in distress, and lay charges when necessary. It is a diverse and demanding role. An inspector could be testifying in a courtroom one day and inspecting an aquaculture farm the next."
Who supports your inspectors, and what other kinds of professionals are essential?
"Inspectors don't work alone. Supporting them is a network of professionals with expertise across a range of fields. When a case goes to court, the NSPCA relies on legal professionals to provide guidance, draft legal submissions, and help navigate the judicial process. Without skilled communications teams, the public wouldn't hear about these cases, understand the issues at stake, or know how to get involved. Just as important are the people working in finance, fundraising, administration, and logistics. Each role is essential in keeping the organisation effective and responsive. Animal welfare may be the cause, but it takes a wide range of professional skills to bring about the change."
Who should consider a career in animal welfare, and what qualities are important?
"If you're passionate about animal welfare and [are] driven to make a difference, this could be the career path that aligns with both your values and your ambitions. Animal welfare work is a meaningful and professional vocation with real-world impact. Whether your background is in law, science, business, education, or the arts, your skills can contribute to making a difference. You don't need a degree in animal studies to be part of the movement. What matters most is commitment, compassion, and the drive to protect animals."
How can someone learn more or get involved with animal welfare work?
"If you'd like to find out more about how you can get involved in animal welfare, please visit our website at nspca.co.za or email us at nspca@nspca. co.za. Discover how your skills can fit into a movement that truly matters."
Animal welfare is a professional field energised by individuals from countless backgrounds, each contributing their unique strengths to a common cause. The diverse career possibilities found within a leading organisation like the SPCA illustrate just how broad and impactful this
Crowning
Miss Erica 2025
Mpho Mahlangu
In a courageous evening of astonishing fashion, outstanding performances, and heartwarming unity, beauty met elegance, class, and intelligence. In a place where many girls found a home shines the extravagant lights of a night that presents Miss Erica 2025. The 19 contestants opened the event with a group dance, which was followed by a purple show-off that was inspired by their residence’s colour. The programme director said that it was a challenge for the contestants – “Are you truly an Ericaner if you cannot rock purple?”
Read the full article on pdby.co,za
How Accurate is AI Detection? False Positive?
Ompha Mudau
As artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools become routine in universities worldwide, some UP students are questioning whether these systems can be trusted to judge their work fairly. While these systems are designed to flag work that may have been generated by AI, concerns are emerging about whether the technology is as reliable as many assume it is.
Read the full article on pdby.co.za
Build to Pitch: Entrepreneurship Workshop Prepares Future Innovators
Lutricia Phiri
On 3 September, the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP), in partnership with ABSA, hosted an entrepreneurship workshop at the University of Pretoria (UP). The initiative was designed to equip students with practical business skills and prepare them for the highly-anticipated grand finale pitch event scheduled for 26 September.
The session featured leading industry professionals such as Siphiwe Hlatswayo (SME Banker, Tshwane Region), Keletso Sebolai (Enterprise Specialist at ABSA), Mandilakhe Nontenja (Integrated Specialist at Sasol), and Malesela Lekota (Head of Stakeholder Relations). Their expertise guided participants through crucial topics such as business formalisation, funding, tax compliance, and pitching strategies.
Nontenja stressed the importance of compliance, particularly with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). He explained that registering a business not only ensures sustainability, but also prevents entrepreneurs from paying the higher 45% personal tax rate. His insights opened the floor for an engaging discussion on declarations and managing business obligations effectively.
Enterprise specialist Sebolai highlighted ABSA’s commitment to student entrepreneurs through its developmental pillars, which go beyond finance. “The first one is access to non-financial support, covering the skills gap,” she explained. She emphasised key areas like access to markets, funding, and skills development. She urged participants to master their financial literacy, saying, “You should know your business, know your numbers. Be comfortable with your cash flow and working capital.” She also reminded students that their business pitch must reflect solutions, benefits, and clear value propositions. Enterprise specialist Sebolai highlighted ABSA’s commitment to student entrepreneurs through its developmental pillars, which go beyond finance. “The first one is access to non-financial support, covering the skills gap,” she explained. She emphasised key areas like access to markets, funding, and skills development. She urged participants to master their financial literacy, saying, “You should know your business, know your numbers. Be comfortable with your cash flow and working capital.” She also reminded students that their business pitch must reflect solutions, benefits, and clear value propositions. In conversation with PDBY, Mahlatse Rapholo, a Bachelor of Theology student, reflected on his experience. “The purpose of the workshop was information sharing, allowing one to be enriched with knowledge and rethink what we thought we knew about the business world. My biggest takeaway was the matter of tax awareness and compliance.” Rapholo, who is in the process of registering his logistics company, said the event also opened networking opportunities. “The business world requires one to get out of their comfort zone and approach people, which is what I did. No opportunity is given to a person in my opinion, you just need to stand and grab it yourself.”
PDBY spoke to Mduduzi Malobola, ABSIP UP’s Entrepreneurship Director, who noted that this workshop was different from the others. “The goal was to assist UP student entrepreneurs in facilitating the sustainable growth of their businesses and prepare them for potential funding opportunities. Unlike other initiatives that chase recognition, ours is about empowering entrepreneurs to become independent,” he said. Malobola further highlighted ABSA’s role in exposing students to the importance of tax compliance and business account options. He also revealed exciting details about the upcoming ABSIP UP startUP Challenge. “This is where students will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. The jury will evaluate based on impact, feasibility, innovation, and longevity. The platinum winner will be crowned ABSIP UP Entrepreneur of the Year,” Malobola shared. Students who attended the workshop automatically qualify for the competition, with further entries to be announced via ABSIP’s social media platforms.
Reflecting on his own experience, Malobola added: “My biggest takeaways were teamwork and generosity. ABSIP purchased 20 domains and email hosting packages to give away to student entrepreneurs whose businesses are registered and actively participating. This was not just about me, but about assisting entrepreneurs to grow beyond what they think they could.”
With 47 of the 50 exclusively-invited student entrepreneurs in attendance, the workshop was deemed a resounding success. As the countdown to the pitch finale continues, ABSIP UP has positioned itself as a driving force in empowering students to take bold steps into the world of entrepreneurship. And with the startUP Challenge on the horizon, the real test begins: will these future entrepreneurs rise to the occasion and turn ideas into impact?
Photo: Lutricia Phiri
Visual: Hannah Roberts
UP Museum Celebrates Heritage Month on Screen
Ompha Mudau
On 3 September, the University of Pretoria (UP) Museums hosted a screening of Lan moon may la dunde? as part of its Heritage Month programme. The work, created by South African artist Wezile Harmans, invited students and staff to reflect on heritage, identity, and memory.
The title, translated from Wolof as “what kept you alive”, comes from Harmans’ research stay in Dakar, Senegal, where he observed artisans weaving fabrics using skills passed down through generations. Reflecting on his inspiration, Harmans said, “The work is inspired by exploring the transmission of knowledge within communities. Art is a catalyst for conversation, reflection, and participation.”
Harmans explained that his practice defines heritage not as a fixed object but as lived memory. “Heritage is a memory, a practice of remembrance,” he said. How each individual views and interprets the video work is in their own hands.
UP Museums is still hosting events during Heritage Month that are meant to start conversations about heritage. For some students, these events bring heritage into focus in different ways. Amira Mudau, a third-year Theology and Religion student, said, “One of the biggest parts of being in this university is that you never know people’s heritage or culture unless you speak to them.” She added that if your heritage is part of who you are, then let it be part of your everyday life. It is in every individual’s hands how they want to tackle their heritage.
For international students, the reflections on heritage take different shapes. Tanasha Emmanuel, a second-year student in Visual Arts, said, “I do not celebrate that. Not because I was told not to or I do not value my heritage, but I just don’t see the need.” He continued, saying that the only time he cares about sharing his culture or seeing a representation of his culture or heritage is during the International Student Day.
Through different perspectives from artists and students alike, the screening and related Heritage Month activities highlight how heritage is understood and expressed differently across UP’s diverse community. Whether through film, daily practices, or personal choices, these conversations highlight the various ways that heritage continues to live and shift within the university.
Lutricia Phiri
On 4 September, the Golden Key International Honour Society hosted its annual Career Fair, a highly-anticipated event that has become a highlight for students seeking to bridge the gap between their studies and the professional world. Held at the University of Pretoria (UP), the fair attracted a diverse panel of speakers from leading organisations such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG), PPS, ENSAfrica, Nexia SAB&T, and Agile Bridge. It also saw professionals from the human resources, business consulting, and technology sectors.
The day was structured around interactive panel discussions where students gained valuable insights into recruitment processes, industry trends, and personal strategies for success. Students also had the opportunity to network with corporate vendors such as Moore Infinity, PPS, and others, ensuring the summit was both informative and practical.
Skills Beyond the Classroom
One of the opening panellists, with a background in technology and organisational psychology, stressed that academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to guarantee career success. She explained that industries are evolving at an unprecedented rate due to advances in technology, globalisation, and new workplace dynamics. “The working world is changing quite fast. You need to upskill yourself in the software environment, make sure your skills are current, and build resilience,” she advised.
Her comments reflected a broader theme that echoed throughout the session: the future belongs to graduates who combine technical knowledge with adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Building on this point, Diana Mbanda from BCG spoke passionately about the importance of embracing discomfort as part of personal and professional growth. She urged students to not fear challenges, but to see them as opportunities. “Start by getting yourself into uncomfortable spaces. Be ready to learn, unlearn, and even fail. The key is to be greater today, but even greater tomorrow,” Mbanda encouraged.
This message resonated with the audience, particularly final-year students who face the uncertainty of transitioning into the workplace. According to her, consulting firms thrive on problem-solving and require individuals who can think quickly, embrace feedback, and constantly improve.
Recruitment and Training
A central part of the discussion focused on how companies recruit and train graduates. Alisha Jawaharlal from PPS emphasised that recruitment is not solely about academic transcripts. “We don’t just look at marks. We look at mindset, alignment with our values, and leadership potential. That’s why our onboarding and training can take at least six months,” she explained. During this period, graduates undergo intensive exposure to real projects, leadership development, and mentorship, ensuring they are well prepared for the responsibilities ahead.
Boitshepo Monedi from ENSAfrica, Africa’s largest corporate law firm, shared the organisation’s approach to training candidate legal practitioners. Monedi explained that their programme is designed to give young lawyers structured exposure across different legal departments. “We want to train you to become efficient in your area of specialisation and prepare you 18 months ahead of others,” she said.
ChooseUP at Your Own Risk: The Reality of Registration Fees
Relebogile Manana and Datis du Preez
On 15 August, The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Student Representative Council (SRC) launched a boycott of ChooseUP Day, which took place on 16 August, in protest of the alleged increase of registration fees, undergraduate fees set to become R11 000. The annual open day, meant to showcase the university to prospective students, went ahead under the cloud of student dissent, with some members of the EFFSC UP, who also serve on the SRC, actively protesting on the day.
This is not the first time UP has raised its registration fee, nor is it the first time students have resisted the fee hike. According to an article by 2022 to R7 500 in 2023, and then to R10 000 in 2024. At the time, the SRC was included in discussions around the increase. However, the current SRC maintains that this year’s decision was made without consultation, transparency, or consideration of student’s financial realities.
In their official statement on 15 August, the SRC described the move as “a blatant disregard for democratic governance” and announced the boycott under the banner “#ChooseUP@ YourOwnRisk”.
The SRC called on faculty houses, student committees, and other structures to join the action, pledging to “engage, challenge, and dispute” the increase once a meeting with the university’s Executive Management is secured. While the SRC has received confirmation that such a meeting will take place, no date has been finalised. The backlash at UP comes amid a larger national trend Earlier this year, The Citizen reported that universities across South Africa increased their registration fees in 2024: UJ rose from R3 870 to R5 560, UKZN went from R4 350 to R4 600, and NWU increased from R11 280 to R11 810, while Wits remained at R9 340. interviewed a selection of students to get an insight into public opinion on this matter. One student, who asked to stay anonymous, said, “It is the duty of the university to ensure that all fees are reasonable in the context of today’s economic climate. Measures to seek financial relief must be accessible. It is of critical importance that all leadership bodies are consulted when drastic changes are made to
As the SRC prepares for their engagement with UP’s Executive Management, it was made clear that their boycott of ChooseUP Day was not only a symbolic gesture – it was a direct show of solidarity
Golden Key Career Fair: Students Step Into the Future Workplace
The programme includes mentorship from senior partners, mandatory legal practice training, and even coaching to help students adjust to the demands of long hours in corporate law. The aim, Monedi noted, is to not only build competence, but also to instill resilience and professionalism.
Networking and Professional Growth The importance of networking was a recurring theme throughout the fair, with panellists repeatedly urging students to build meaningful relationships early on. One speaker advised, “While you’re still studying, begin building your network. Don’t limit yourself to your faculty – opportunities often come from unexpected places.” By broadening their networks, students could gain access to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations that may not come directly from their field of study.
Another panellist emphasised authenticity in networking, warning against superficial connections. “It’s not about the pretty face; it’s about the mindset. Do not forget the power you hold,” she said. Students were also encouraged to use LinkedIn proactively, reach out to alumni, and take advantage of professional organisations such as the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa (SIOPSA).
Feedback, Resilience, and Mental Health
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to resilience in the face of workplace challenges. Panellists shared candid experiences about dealing with rejection, criticism, and setbacks. One speaker reminded students that perseverance is key. “Nobody is going to come save you. Learn to take rejection and keep moving forward,” she said.
Another added, “Take constructive feedback seriously. Even if it’s hard to hear, it means someone is invested in your growth.”
Mental health, which is often overlooked in professional development conversations, was also addressed. One panellist spoke frankly about the pressures of long hours and balancing personal challenges. “Learn to leave your problems [in] the car and collect them later on your way home,” she advised.
This metaphor underscores the importance of compartmentalisation and self-care in maintaining productivity and well-being in high-pressure careers.
What Employers Look For
Across the different industries represented, the panellists identified common traits they look for in graduates. Monedi from ENSAfrica was particularly direct. “We’re looking for hardworking candidates who understand business, keep up with current affairs, and are self-aware enough to ask for help when needed,” she said.
From the technology side, AI literacy and continuous upskilling were highlighted as essential. “AI is transforming every industry. Graduates must approach it consciously and be ready to adapt,” noted one speaker.
Another panellist stressed that passion is what ultimately drives success. “Passion will drive you. If you’re doing something you love, time won’t be a factor,” she said, highlighting that passion sustains graduates through long hours and tough projects.
Practical Advice
The panellists gave concrete advice on preparing for interviews and recruitment. This included researching companies, understanding their values, and practicing problem-solving skills.
“Don’t just research the company; understand what it’s about. Speak to people who work there and personalise your responses,” advised one recruiter. Another panellist encouraged students to participate in case workshops and mock interviews to sharpen their skills before entering competitive selection processes.
They also warned against common pitfalls in job applications. One speaker cautioned, “Don’t put photos on your CV and never lie. Employers value honesty and substance.”
Several panellists agreed that generic cover letters and exaggerated claims undermine credibility, urging students to focus on authenticity and clarity instead.
Student Reflections
For Chikomborero Nyika, Professional Development Director of Golden Key and a BCom Financial Sciences student, the summit was more than just a career fair. “The career summit was a power-packed evening all about professional growth. Students gained insights on interviews, CVs, cover letters, networking, and graduate recruitment during the panel discussion, and then got to put those skills into action by connecting with companies face-to-face afterwards,” she said.
Nyika added that one of her personal highlights was “finally meeting, in person, the amazing people I’d only been emailing back and forth with. Putting faces to names made the night extra special, and each of them brought such valuable insights to the discussions.” She also emphasised the importance of showing up. “Those who came to the summit learnt something new just by being there.”
For Makanaka Dube, a student in Accounting Sciences, the event challenged her perception of workplace expectations. “It was to challenge the common perceptions and practices around applying for jobs, providing us with a clearer understanding of what truly matters in the recruitment process and how we should conduct ourselves professionally,” she explained. Her biggest takeaway was the importance of dedication early in one’s career. “While work-life balance and mental wellbeing are extremely important, we sometimes use them as a shield to avoid doing hard work or accepting constructive criticism. Early in our careers, it’s important to be willing to put in the effort, stay committed, and sometimes work late to ensure tasks are done properly.”
Dube also appreciated the variety that the summit offered. “It had something for everyone: insightful discussions, good food, and even a choir performance. What’s not to love?”
Inspiring Takeaways
Another emphasised the importance of passion and perseverance, reminding students that “if you do something you are passionate about, time will not be a barrier”.
For many attendees, the Golden Key Career Fair was more than just an opportunity to connect with recruiters; it was a chance to gain unfiltered insights into the challenges and opportunities of professional life. By highlighting themes of resilience, networking, authenticity, and lifelong learning, and with student voices reinforcing its impact, the fair equipped students with knowledge about the job market and the mindset required to thrive in it.
Visual: Jason Visser
The First-Year Dropout Crisis: Are Schools Failing to Prepare Us?
Chase Meyer
The transition from secondary to tertiary education represents a critical period for South African students. However, according to Fundi Executive Head Benedict Johnson, it is marked by a high dropout rate of 60%. This is a silent crisis in South Africa’s higher education system that has far-reaching consequences for individuals and the broader society. This can be seen in the high youth unemployment rate of 62.4% from 2025’s first quarter. This sizable challenge in South Africa’s higher education system includes you, so let us start a conversation about it to unlock the youth’s potential and build a more prosperous South Africa. A significant contributing factor to this crisis is the misalignment between secondary and tertiary education. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Education and Learning Technology (JELT)
identified significant misalignment between what students are taught in high school and the prerequisites for tertiary education, which particularly affect students from underserved communities.
A likely contributor to this divide is the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS). According to Katlego Mabulana, a lecturer at the University of Limpopo, research has shown that students possess diverse interests and cognitive abilities, which requires a curriculum that accommodates individual differences to enhance academic performance. However, CAPS often takes a “one size fits all” approach that fails to address these differences, which results in academic unpreparedness for tertiary education, as mentioned in Mabulana’s article. Do you believe that there is a gap that fails in preparing students for the leap from high school to university?
How would you bridge this gap? One way could be through systemic reforms, such as improving career guidance systems and aligning secondary education content with tertiary education requirements, especially in underserved schools with insufficient resources and outdated curricula.
The misalignment between South Africa’s high school curricula and tertiary education’s demands is a complex challenge. It may highlight immense failure in the higher education system, but it also illuminates opportunities for national growth and collective action. It is two sides of the same coin.
The future of South Africa’s youth is not predetermined by current statistics, but rather by the coordinated actions of stakeholders which includes you, the student.
Rehabilitation or Exile: The Unforgiving Nature of Cancel Culture
Martha Mumba
Let’s be honest, the internet never forgets. Since the first Life Orientation lesson we had back in high school, we have always been told that whatever we post online stays there forever, even though the post was deleted. Screenshots have longer lifespans than some campus relationships, and once you’re “cancelled”, it feels harder to come back than finding campus parking at the start of the semester.
Living in the age of digital media and AI has stirred up multiple debates in society about what the term “CANCELLED” actually means. With tweets on X (formerly Twitter) travelling faster than the truth and a rise in parasocial relationships, cancel culture has become a widely debated and complex topic. This word has moved beyond pop culture slang and towards social justice, accountability, and giving power to the people.
On the one hand, cancel culture has been used as a digital tool that calls out harmful behaviour, but on the other, it has been criticised for being an act of unforgiving mob justice that leaves no room for growth or redemption. Although some may view cancel culture as a necessary tool for change, others have seen its unforgiving nature that trades dialogue for exile.
According to VICE magazine, cancel culture is “the act of collective boycotting of something or someone after a perceived wrongdoing”. This act is fueled by social media engines and targets public figures, people, things, or brands. However, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to cancelling.
Various groups consider something to be cancelled and others not. Cancel culture arguably started as a form of grassroots digital activism, but it has evolved into what some argue is a modern-day witchhunt. One wrong word, one misstep, one misunderstood joke, or one post that resurfaces and continues to haunt people years later results in a widespread digital exile and condemnation. Sometimes, it is about taking accountability, like calling out racism, and other times, it is a dodgy joke from 2011 that resurfaces. We have seen this play out over the years with author J.K Rowling who was cancelled for transphobic comments, makeup and YouTube influencer James Charles who was cancelled for allegations of predatory behaviour and inappropriate messages, and even fashion giant H&M that was cancelled back in 2018 for releasing an advert with a black child wearing a hoodie that said “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle”, which sparked widespread outrage. These are just a few of the many instances that have sparked outrage on social media, resulting in a withdrawal of support from communities and a demand for justice and accountability.
Cancel culture has its downsides, such as isolation, which could cause someone’s mental health conditions to worsen. However, cancel culture is not all bad. It gives power to everyday people to hold powerful figures accountable when the system fails to do so. Sometimes, it prevents people from getting away with saying or doing awful things. Without it, conversations about abuse and sexism would never leave the group chat.
There is a double standard when it comes to cancel culture.
While many public figures or brands have been “cancelled”, the effect of their cancellation is often not what people expect it to be.
The effects of cancel culture vary by case, and the length of time a person or brand remains cancelled may also differ. If cancel culture is only about exile, we are not working towards retribution and learning curves. When cancel culture focuses on one side over the latter, it can become a larger version of the Hunger Games on a digital platform. I’m sure none of us want to feel like Katniss Everdeen every time we open any social media app.
Alexandra D’amour’s article on cancel culture says, “In a world where we repost moral outrage without the necessary due diligence, it’s important we read between the lines before we effectively “cancel” someone.” Individuals who are not willing to learn from people and problematic situations further cause shame and alienation among people, resulting in a hesitance in the process of learning and unlearning.
D’amour refers to an incident where a white woman was too afraid to participate in a rally for women of colour because she was too afraid to say or do the wrong thing out of fear of being cancelled. The fear of criticism and cancellation should turn into a meaningful, impactful dialogue that results in change. Often, performativity lies in cancel culture where shares and retweets matter more than constructive dialogue or progress. The mob mentality people adopt on social media leaves no room for context, dialogue, and learning. We may find that mistakes, regardless of time passed or severity, are immortalised online, leaving the individual with little room to grow and an inability to learn from their past mistakes or actions.
The question remains: are we holding people accountable, or are we simply exiling them? Yes, it sucks that we might say the wrong thing, but it is important to be open to constructive criticism and to try to be better. Perhaps the solution to this is shifting from cancellation to conversation. Yes, it is important to call people out and hold them accountable, but perhaps, we should also leave room for growth.
Intellectual Intimacy: The Depths of Your Mind
Promise Erero
To be loved is to be understood, and to be understood is to be known. The depths of who we are in our core is in our experiences, beliefs, thoughts, and ultimately, our soul. What a joy it is to have someone who wants to know you beyond what meets the eye.
The Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry describes intellectual intimacy as an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Intimacy on its own speaks to the openness and vulnerability of people in relation to each other. There is nothing like the feeling of having a deep, meaningful conversation with someone that makes you feel like you are the only two people in the world.
The intimacy of a pull and push between two people, learning about each other and why they are the way they are, cannot be compared to any other connection. Intellectual intimacy is an important factor to building a long-term human connection. When someone understands you, your actions make sense to them and so does the reason behind everything you do. It helps you predict what direction they are going in and how you fit in to that. Although physical intimacy is important to many, it does not completely touch on who someone really is. PsychCentral emphasises the fact that emotional and intellectual intimacy can create a safe space for partners. Being able to talk to someone and express exactly how you feel without fear of judgement and a
sense of being truly seen is a blessing that is not spoken about enough. Intellectual intimacy can be applied to all types of relationships, whether familial, platonic, or romantic, and the level of intimacy in each of these relationships mirrors the other. It is very hard to be unapologetically free and vulnerable with a person as an adult if you were not granted that opportunity as a child. Although we are products of our past, it is not impossible to learn how to be more open and connect with people on a deeper level. Once again, to be loved is to be understood, and to love is to understand. The art of yearning lies within the desire to know a person beyond their physical shell and dig deeper within their soul.
Visual: Domonique Bennetts
I T W A S A L L W O R T H I T
To that fine darkskin boy I always see at Law discussion rooms I noticed you cut your hair shorter recently and I gotta say I really like the new look I know your friends call you a prompt engineer but I'll do any prompts you want
To the pdby dreadhead with tattoos, I know I came here to chow this degree but can I chow you instead
Pavi , with the red guess shirt, you would definitely be my cherry on top
To the blond specimen with the blue Jersey in my AIM class, Mondays 11:30s are the reason I get out of bed every week. The mere sight of you keeps me going everyday A relationship between me and you would definitely excel ;)
To the light skinned first-year dentistry guy (with a coloured friend) who likes wearing black scrubs with Nike sneakers and recently joined the sixteen Oh ate running club: I think might have a cavity only you can fill; sincerely "Call me by your name"
to the guy I see walking around on crutches - you may be injured, but I bet I could speed up that recovery see you soon xxx
To the girl named Eryn in FMR 121, I know where you live and I want you so BAD!, I think you’re cuffed but not for long
Masedi baby give me a chance I know you moved on but I haven’t ur boy ain’t a mountain please give me a chance at happiness my peachy princess
To the two brunette girls who study Law and are always together and I think your names are Annabelle and Eryn, yall are hot which one of you will give me a chance…2 Man?
Looking for the STC122 group 1 TALL pasta and lobster who stole my heart in Thuto 1-1 Tuesday lecture Your next move is me Ready or not here i come You like wearing grey sweatpants with clogs and a cap ngl I want to run my fingers through your curly hair
To Tom, the guy who I sometimes see in my SKE120 lectures I think you are such a hottie! I hope someday you will come and survey my quantity Don’t worry about your girlfriend, she’s just for now, we are forever All my love
To the girl I was talking to before recess on Instagram, who goes by the name Priya and is studying Food Science 2nd year Bro what happened to you? You just deactivated your account anddisappeared
to the cute guy doing STK 120 you have a great fashion sense and I love your glasses maybe I can try your clothes on sometime ;)
Lentedag 2025:
On a crisp Wednesday, 10 September, the Pretoria Botanical Gardens were awash with spring warmth, pulsing music, laughter, and that unmistakable student buzz. Lentedag 2025 was more than just a concert – it was a homecoming, a declaration of energy, and a reminder that student culture lives loudly in Pretoria. For a long time, Lentedag has been a staple on many students’ calendars. According to its organisers, this year marked the festival’s 23rd year and saw “one of the biggest lineups” across the four stages. Festival-goers could wander from the main bar to themed zones, participate in games, sample treats from food stalls, or simply soak in the sunshine and the music.
A Full Circle Moment for Ben Rodrigues
For headline artist Ben Rodrigues, performing at Lentedag was more than just another gig – it was a profound milestone. Reflecting on his journey, Rodrigues shared, “Last year, the first ever time that I stepped foot on stage was at Lentedag 2024. Neon Dreams brought me out for my one and only song, “Was It Real?”, and yeah, it was just an amazing experience. So, being able to be back here, headlining the event one year later, is just truly incredible and it’s God’s work.”
Ben’s connection with the student crowd is evident in his approach to performing. He emphasised the importance of reading the room: “Student crowds are definitely my favourite. Everyone’s there to have a good time... You can’t go into the show knowing exactly what you’re doing. Sometimes we think it’s going to be dead, but then everyone’s just jolling. You kind of have to be like water and just be able to adapt.”
One of the highlights of Ben’s set was a clever musical surprise. His guitarist discovered that the song “Kaptein” shares the same key and chords as “Mr. Brightside”, leading to a fan-favourite mashup affectionately dubbed as “Mr. Kaptein”. Rodrigues described it as “[his] favourite part” of the show, a moment that perfectly captured the playful and interactive spirit of Lentedag. Supporting Rodrigues on and off stage was Talisha Grobler, Ben’s girlfriend, whose pride and joy in his success shone through. “It means the world. I see everything from start to finish. Sometimes I help out if I think something could be better. I’m just really proud of him and happy to see people love him as much as I love him,” she said warmly.
Grobler also praised the overall vibe of Lentedag, describing it as “insane” in the best way possible. “I love the vibe. I love the people. It’s such a good crowd. I’m so happy we were able to come here and be here. It’s so cool, guys.”
Zaan Sonnekus: Speed, Chaos, and Student Energy
Another standout performer, Zaan Sonnekus, has been a Lentedag attendee for years before he finally took to the stage this year. “I’ve been at every single Lentedag, attending in the crowd... I’ve always been so jealous of everyone that’s performed here. It’s literally one of the biggest honours,” he said.
He also shared a humorous anecdote about fans urging him to take his shirt off, which he eventually did, sparking wild cheers.
When asked about the Pretoria crowd compared to other cities, Sonnekus was unequivocal: “Pretoria is the best... The gees is the craziest in Pretoria every single time. It’s so underrated and the people are so amazing.”
Spoegwolf: Pretoria’s Festival Mainstays
The band Spoegwolf, veterans on the Lentedag stage, echoed the sentiment that Pretoria holds a special place in their hearts. “This is one of the oldest ones we’ve been coming to for many years... it’s really a hallmark of Gauteng festival shows for us,” said one band member.
They noted that Lentedag was their first proper festival in Pretoria, highlighting the event’s diversity and quality. Their set featured crowd favourites like “Bittermaan”, which had the audience singing along passionately, and “Slapende Honde”, where the band’s energetic jumping was met with enthusiasm. Describing their set in three words, Spoegwolf chose “crazy” and “very, very loud”, perfectly capturing the raw energy they bring to the stage.
Voices from the Crowd: International and Local Perspectives
Lentedag’s appeal extends beyond Pretoria’s borders. Caitlin Horton travelled all the way from the UK to experience the festival firsthand. “This was my first time at Lentedag... I would say it’s both a music festival and a social event. You can’t really go to a music festival without socialising,” she explained. Horton’s highlight was singing a One Direction song with Ben Rodrigues, a moment she described as “great”. Her advice to first-timers was practical: “Bring sunblock. You will get burnt.” Evgenia Martalas, a student from the University of the Witwatersrand, also shared her perspective. “This is the main student event that I’ve gone to... having a really good group just makes the day 10 times better,” she said. Martalas likened Lentedag to a “South African Coachella”, praising the stylish outfits and vibrant atmosphere. Her highlight was the Electronic Forest, a unique setup that added to the festival’s eclectic vibe. She emphasised the importance of hydration, reminding attendees, “It may not seem hot, but it’s hot.
Sonnekus’s description of the student crowd was vivid and heartfelt: “Students are so wild. Whatever you tell them to do, they do. If you tell them to take off their shirts, they take off their shirts. If you tell them to jump, they jump. The lekker thing about students is the gees. No one cares what anyone thinks about you. It’s just let’s have a good time.”
One memorable moment from his set was performing “By Jou” while running around the stage and even climbing onto a container at the back, much to the crowd’s surprise and delight. “The reaction of everyone being like “what is he doing?” – that was amazing Sonnekus recalled.
Please drink your water, guys.”
Lentedag 2025 was more than just a music festival; it was a celebration of student life, culture, and community. The event offered a rich tapestry of experiences, from energetic performances and interactive moments to socialising and enjoying the beautiful spring weather in the Botanical Gardens.
Lentedag is not just a festival. It is a mirror to what makes student life here electric. It is youth expressed loudly, imperfectly, and joyfully. On 10 September, the Botanical Gardens were not just green and beautiful – they were alive, resonant. The music was not just played – it was breathed in by every student dancing and every artist wishing for more.
Pretoria, you showed up, and you made Lentedag 2025 not just another stop, but also a wonderful memory.
Cayden Coetzer
Photos: Jason Visser & Alyx Bell
Visuals: Danielle Oosthuizen
Madness
Music Magic
Lentedag BINGO
Wore someone else’s sunglasses
Joined someone’s photo
Signed your name on the Lentedag Wall
Tried the pull up challenge
Collected more than 3 lentedag cups
Attended Lentedag
Had a drink spilled on you
Saw a glitter explosion on someone’s face
Met one of the artists
Cara Heymans
Across
3. Most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup (6)
6. “That’s that me _____” (8)
7. A person who works hard and relentlessly (6)
8. Cook by prolonged exposure to heat (5)
9. Local ice cream parlour (5)
10. To mix together (5)
11. Vaccine, informal (4)
Down
1. To remove unwanted debris (6)
2. Ingredient found in energy drinks (8)
3. To make a drink; tea, beer (4)
4. Of or relating to Ireland (5)
5. Pantone’s 2025 Colour Of The Year; ‘_____ Mousse’ (5)
7. Ariana _____ (6)
10. Alternate source of protein (5)
was full of energy and would not sleep at night after they had eaten the red cherries off a bush in the forest. He reported his findings to a local monastery. The abbott turned the cherries into a drink and also found that it kept him alert, even at night.
29 September is International Coffee Day.
Mean Girls Grown Up:
The Politics of Women vs Women
Gabriella van Niekerk
In every field of wildflowers, one poppy inevitably grows taller than the rest. In nature, this is called variation – something to be expected and even celebrated. In society, however, the poppy that dares to stand above the rest often faces an invisible danger: being cut down. This is known as the “Tallest Poppy Syndrome”, the subtle yet pervasive practice of punishing those who excel. What makes this syndrome especially insidious is its gendered impact. It does not operate neutrally. Women who reach elevated levels of success face a backlash that their male counterparts rarely endure. Ambitious women are scolded for being “too much, too confident, too assertive, or too visible”. Where men are praised for being decisive, women are dubbed “aggressive”. Where men’s authority is admired, women’s authority is dismissed as “arrogance”. The taller a woman stands, the sharper the blades are, waiting to trim her down.
Rooted or Rootless? The Reality of Third Culture Adults
Martha Mumba
For many people, home is a singular, familiar place. Home could be a childhood house, a city or neighbourhood we have known our whole lives, or even the country we are from. However, for Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs), the concept of home is far more complex. Growing up in a country that is different from your parents’ homeland raises important questions: Where is home? Where am I from?
Being able to become deeply adaptable to surrounding environments at such an early age increases your cultural awareness and sensitivity. This can help enhance cross-cultural communication and language skills, as well as making you ideal for careers or work that involves global settings or connecting with diverse groups of people.
The Flip Side of Floating between Worlds
ATCKs grow up in different environments from their parents and often have to navigate and balance the diverse cultures of their host country and their parents’ culture. As ATCKs grow into adulthood, their multicultural upbringing shapes their identity, career paths, and relationships in unique ways. This raises the question: are they rootless, or are they rooted everywhere?
The Three Pillars of Identity
Despite the many strengths that come with growing up as a ATCK, the challenges run just as deep.
● Where is home, really: Beyond everywhere and nowhere at the same time, the concept of identity becomes quite unstable.
● Imposter syndrome: Can one truly “claim” a culture in which they were not fully raised? Who gets to decide that?
The term "tallest poppy" began to take root after the 1984 release of Australian author Susan Mitchell’s book, Tall Poppies. In her book, she interviewed nine successful Australian women whose achievements had generated hostility rather than applause. Mitchell’s metaphor drew on a cultural maxim: poppies are meant to grow together in harmony, but if one poppy blooms higher than the rest, it risks being cut down. That simple but powerful imagery captured a universal truth about society's discomfort with female excellence.
According to Wherapy, ATCKs balance three different pillars:
1. The homeland: the country their passport declares “home”
2. The host culture: where they grew up
● No long-term roots: Family ties and past and current friendships can feel transient at times. It is awkward going back to your homeland, especially if you have been gone for a while. This could result in feeling like you do not belong.
For young women navigating university life, Tallest Poppy Syndrome can be especially sharp. While university is often celebrated as a place of growth and opportunity, it is also a place where competition, comparison, and social pressures thrive. The cutting down of women does not always come from men or authority figures; it often comes from other women.
3. The in-between identity: the individual’s identity is not tied to one place, therefore, they are considered a global nomad
Nokutenda, a first-year student born in Zimbabwe and raised in Eswatini, described this duality vividly. “At home, my parents made sure I stayed connected to Zimbabwean values, but outside, I had to adjust to Swazi culture. It’s like living in two worlds at once,” they said.
Hope explained, “The hardest thing is not fully identifying with my home and host cultures. Fragments of me can identify with South Africa because I’ve lived here my whole life, and other parts of me identify strongly with being Zimbabwean.” Nokutenda shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the emotional weight of this balancing act. “The hardest part is feeling like you don’t completely fit anywhere… I’ve had to take it upon myself to learn both cultures because it’s frowned upon when you don’t make the effort.”
In university, friendships and peer groups carry immense weight. Success, whether academic, athletic, or social, can provoke unease among friends who feel left behind. A student who consistently earns high marks might be labelled a “try-hard”. A woman who debates might be called “bossy”. Someone who posts confidently on social media about her achievements risks being branded as “showing off”.
This behaviour is often tied to what psychologists call “internalised patriarchy”. Many young women have absorbed the cultural script that says women should be modest, self-effacing, and collaborative, not ambitious, outspoken, or openly proud. In a world that still rewards men for being confident, women learn to police one another’s ambition, sometimes unconsciously, to keep within the boundaries of “acceptable” femininity.
Tallest Poppy Syndrome plays out in many areas of student life: academics, leadership, social media, appearance, and popularity. In each case, the message is the same: standing out comes at a social cost.
Breaking this cycle requires courage and cultural change. For students, the first step is awareness – recognising when criticism does not come from genuine concern, but from envy or insecurity. The second step is intentional support – choosing to affirm peers when they succeed, even if it triggers your own self-doubt. Encouraging a friend’s win does not diminish your own potential; in fact, it broadens what’s possible for you.
By creating communities that reward collaboration over rivalry, universities can normalise the celebration of women’s achievements. When women learn early on in their lives that success is not a zero-sum game, they are less likely to cut each other down and more likely to rise together.
Tallest Poppy Syndrome among young women is not just about jealousy: it is about deeply ingrained social scripts that teach women to shrink and to make sure others shrink too. Coming to university can be a powerful opportunity to unlearn those scripts. When women choose solidarity over competition, encouragement over resentment, they plant the seeds of a culture where ambition is celebrated, not punished.
The healthiest fields of wildflowers are those where every poppy can reach its full potential. For women, this means refusing to tear one another down and instead, learning to grow together, tall and unafraid.
The Perks of Being a ATCK
Being an ATCK is not all about existential dread and frequent identity crises. There are a few perks:
● Multilingual flex: Who does not want to boast about knowing multiple languages and casually drop a “merci” midsentence?
● Cultural fluency: Constantly switching between customs, languages, and norms builds adaptability and creates a deeper understanding of the world.
● International foodie: Our taste buds have either been blessed or left in absolute shock with different cuisines. Not only do we learn new recipes, but if we are lucky, we are let in on the “secret ingredient” to a generational recipe.
Hope, a first-year student born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, shared how this exposure shaped her perspective. She said, “The best part is to experience different types of people from all walks of life. It teaches you to soften your heart regarding other people’s experiences.”
There is a sense of displacement, a feeling that you belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time. There is also the struggle of identity and questioning which culture truly represents you. Do you have the approval to honestly say that you belong in a certain community without feeling like this is technically not true?
So… Rooted or Rootless?
The interesting thing about ATCKs is that they have their own unique sense of belonging and identity. Perhaps, they are rooted everywhere and nowhere at the same time. “Home isn’t really tied to one country for me,” Nokutenda shared. “It’s more of a feeling. It’s in the people I love, in the food, the language, and the spaces where I feel safe and understood.”
Perhaps it is not really about where we are from, but instead, how we thrive in the third pillar – the in-between. After all, who needs just one home when the world can be ours. You will meet the best and worst people everywhere you go, but what matters is the home you have made for yourself and the people we have met along the way.
Can We Talk? Why Feminism Is More Than Just Hashtags and Protest Signs
Mashapa Ramokofi
Say “feminism” at the dinner table and watch the room tense up faster than when someone says “pineapple belongs on pizza”. Suddenly, half the group thinks you are about to burn a bra on the spot while the other half expects a lengthy TED Talk. But here’s the thing – feminism is not nearly as dramatic as people make it out to be.
Yes, hashtags and protest signs are part of the story. They are loud, visible, and occasionally, they rhyme. But feminism also lives in the smaller, quieter moments, like when your friend insists everyone splits the bill evenly instead of slyly sliding it to the woman at the table, as if she doubles as the cashier. Or when your colleague says, “Hang on, let her finish,” because apparently, in 2025, women are still battling the Olympic sport of being interrupted.
The problem is that feminism has picked up some strange PR over the years. Some people think it is about hating men (spoiler alert: it’s not). Others think it is about marching in protest 24/7 (also not). Honestly, if feminism were a brand, it would need a rebrand; something like “Common Sense™”. Because at its core, feminism is just the belief that people deserve the same opportunities and respect, regardless of gender.
Shocking, I know.
So yes, protest signs matter. They make noise, they get attention, and sometimes, they come with catchy slogans you secretly wish
you had thought of first. But reducing feminism to angry mobs and viral hashtags overlooks the everyday battles – things like teaching boys to cook without calling it “helping” or not asking women why they are still single as if it were a tragic plot twist. Feminism is not a club you sign up for, and there is no secret handshake. It is in how we treat people every day. Less about burning bras, more about burning double standards. And honestly, isn’t that a conversation worth having; preferably over pizza, pineapple or not?
Visual: Nicole Hagemann
Visual: Nicole Hagemann
Background
Visual: Hannah Roberts
The Sacred HB-HG Bond
Milan Govender
Do you have a girl best friend? Or perhaps a boy best friend? Have you ever thought of them as more? When is something funny merely a laugh between friends, and when is it an attempt to rizz you up? It is an undeniable fact that friendships require some level of attraction. You see good qualities or matching personality traits, similar characteristics or identical playlists, and that is what attracts you to them. Sometimes, this platonic attraction between friends can spillover into romantic attraction. Many can relate to the “I-need-to-tell-you-something” conversation.
When dealing with a romantically ambiguous situation, it is important to create boundaries. You must create a boundary, implement it, and respect it. These could look like:
● Being clear with your intentions. There is no need for mixed signals. You need to reach a point where platonic is not ironic.
● Respecting the other person’s relationship (if they are in one). Don’t undermine their partner or suggest that you would approach a situation better.
● Keep the affection appropriate. Hugs and casual touch are all fun and games, but lingering glances and a squeeze that is just too long can cause problems.
● Mind your frequency and timing on the phone. Try to avoid late-night calls and midnight texts, or, at least, make sure it is not every night.
● There is no need for flirty banter. Your conversations are fine as they are. They do not need suggestive undertones. Whatever you say to your friend should be okay to say in front of their partner. and it can sometimes be even stronger. You do not have to love someone romantically. Sometimes, you can just love.
Ultimately, friendships are too valuable to lose over what could be a two-month fling of toxicity and a myriad of flashing red flags. Of course, we would love a friends-to-lovers trope, but let it happen organically. Platonic love is just as strong as romantic love, and it can sometimes be even stronger. You do not have to love someone romantically. Sometimes, you can just love.
The ABC’s of OMG: What’s
Happening to Our Language
Gabriella van Niekerk
How Texts, Screens, and Old Habits are Reshaping University Literacy in South Africa
LOL, brb, smh. These are not just random letters; they are the daily currency of communication for most university students. We live in a world where emojis, memes, and GIFs can convey feelings faster than full sentences ever could. But what happens when this shorthand spills over into academic writing, or when hours of scrolling replace actual reading? Walking across campus, it may look like literacy is no problem, but the reality is much more complicated. Many students struggle to read for understanding, construct cohesive arguments, or express ideas clearly in writing, all of which are essential skills for academic success and beyond.
The 2021 national Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessment paints a stark picture: only about 19% of grade 4 learners could read for meaning, and these scores have been declining. These early deficits do not vanish after school. For university students, they often manifest as difficulties interpreting academic texts, producing extended essays, or engaging critically with arguments. Even highly motivated students sometimes struggle to translate reading comprehension into written expression.
University students today grew up in a world dominated by text messaging, WhatsApp, social media, and abbreviations. While texting can enhance creative skills, it can also reinforce careless spelling and informal grammar.
At university, the stakes are higher: lecturers expect precise, coherent prose and critical engagement with sources.
Many students spend hours each day on their screens – scrolling through social media, streaming shows, or juggling lecture recordings and YouTube tutorials. South African research shows that passive screen consumption can reduce vocabulary growth and limit comprehension depth. Even at a university level, the habit of skimming digital text rather than engaging deeply makes academic success harder to achieve.
Several factors amplify literacy challenges:
Weak foundation from school: Many students arrive without strong reading comprehension or essay-writing skills.
Digital habits: Reliance on shorthand and multitasking conflicts with the sustained attention required for academic work.
Information overload: Lectures, readings, and assignments can overwhelm students, encouraging skimming rather than deep learning.
Limited feedback: Large class sizes often limit guidance on improving writing or critical thinking.
Strategies to Reclaim Literacy at University
1.Read Beyond the Curriculum: Engage with novels, opinion pieces, research articles, and essays. Exposure to varied genres of literature expands vocabulary, introduces different structures, and strengthens critical thinking.
2.Form Peer Study and Writing Groups: Discuss readings, review essays, and critique each other’s work. Teaching others and defending your ideas reinforces your own understanding.
3. Seek Feedback Early and Often: Visit writing centres or ask lecturers to review drafts before deadlines. Feedback provides concrete steps for improvement.
4.Summarise Before You Write: Outline your main points and evidence before starting your essays. Clear structure prevents rambling and improves clarity.
5. Use Tools Wisely: Keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy, and make it a habit to look up unfamiliar words immediately.
6. Read Aloud: Hearing your writing exposes awkward phrasing, missing words, and unclear sentences.
7. Balance Screens with Reflection: When using digital sources, pause, process, and summarise information. Avoid passive scrolling during study time.
The literacy challenges university students face in South Africa are the continuation of systemic and social factors that begin in early schooling, compounded by digital habits and limited guidance in higher education. But students are not powerless. By actively practising reading, writing, and reflection, and being supported by peers, tutors, and structured routines, university students can reclaim strong literacy skills, improve academic performance, and equip themselves for professional life. Literacy is not just an academic requirement; it is a lifelong tool for communication, critical thinking, and empowerment.
Be Gone Seasonal Blues!
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” – William Shakespeare
The changing of seasons can do more than welcome beautiful green buds and blooming Jacarandas. It brings shifts in our moods, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. The warmth outside brings a type of warmth in our bodies – a noticeable spark of joy. It is scientifically proven that a link exists between seasonal patterns and mental health. For many students, the months between May and August are dark and difficult, with some even experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD (yes, the irony). But the spring and summer months tend to lift spirits and spark motivation. When we understand these patterns, we can intentionally use the brighter seasons to boost our physical and mental health.
One of the biggest characters in this cycle is the sun. Vitamin D, often called the sunlight vitamin, gets produced in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight. We photosynthesise, releasing our main product: happiness. Studies have also shown that vitamin D deficiencies are linked to higher rates of depression and fatigue. During winter, the shorter days and longer nights reduce our exposure to this crucial vitamin, which lowers the serotonin levels in our bodies. This disrupts our circadian rhythm, the internal clock that regulates our sleep and energy levels. When September hits, the days lengthen and the sun returns, and so do our dopamine levels!
By spending more time in the great outdoors, whether it is walking, running, gardening, or simply basking in the sun, we can easily increase our vitamin D levels. Our sports campus, LC de Villiers, is the perfect place to start with its beautiful routes and happy faces all around you. This boosts our moods, our immune systems, and our bone health
Spring and summer also allow us to reset our routines. Just as nature is patient and blooms after a period of rest, we too can treat the arrival of these months as a new chapter. Many students tend to begin new habits when their environment supports it. Brighter and lighter mornings make it easier to attend those 07:30 classes, longer and warmer evenings allow for social gatherings and outdoor festivities. Fresh seasonal produce like berries and avocados fuel us for these fun activities. It is also the perfect time for self-care, fitness, and creative endeavours we did not have the energy for during winter.
On a spiritual and psychological level, spring has always been tied to the idea of renewal and new life – a symbolic opportunity to shed our old selves and refresh our goals and mindset. By aligning with these seasonal energies, we can not only enhance our productivity but also our sense of
Ultimately, the seasons remind us that life moves in phases and cycles. The winter months are periods that are with time for rest and reflection, but we can always count on spring to come back So let’s bid farewell to the seasonal blues and welcome a time for renewal and change!
Visual: Danielle Oosthuizen
Visual: Maliyah Naidoo
Kyra Erwee
Visual: Danielle Oosthuizen
Why Watch Something New When I Could Watch Pride and Prejudice for the 87th Time?
Melissa Aitchison
Have you ever rewatched the same show for the tenth time or picked up a book you have already read cover to cover? You are not alone. Everyone has their own version of “comfort” media they cannot seem to get enough of. While this has often been chalked up to nostalgia, there is real science behind our love for the familiar.
Watching a new show or picking up a new book can be exciting. It has the power to take you to a different world with a new set of characters, stories, locations, and even languages. However, the new is always unpredictable. You mentally step into a brand-new world, learn its rules from the ground up, and then hope it does not go off the rails or that the creator does not stray too far from the original story (we all saw what Riverdale became after season one...)
The familiar may be predictable, but sometimes, our brains crave that simplicity. We know how it is going to end and what emotions it will evoke within us. There is something universally
comforting about recognising a familiar face, revisiting a known place, or repeating an activity. These warm, comforting feelings lead us to repeat the action over and over in order to feel like that again. This is called the Mere-Exposure Effect, or Familiarity Principle. This is the psychological effect of repeated exposure to a stimulus that enhances perceptual fluency. This allows the stimulus to be effortlessly processed. In layman’s terms, the more you see or experience something, the easier your brain finds it to understand and process. Therefore, you might like it more than something new that could cause you unease.
In today's fast-paced and chaotic world, a feeling of powerlessness can become
Hemlines and Hard Times
We have all seen the memes: Jonas Brothers reunion? Recession indicator. Tradwife aesthetic making a comeback? Recession indicator. But is there any truth to it? Do trends in the public sphere indicate an economic depression? Survey says… maybe.
Let’s take a look at skirts. If you walk into a clothing store that is busy rolling out their summer collection, you might notice that there seems to be an excess of long clothing. In particular, midi (mid-calf) and maxi (ankle-length) skirts have returned as a trend. This is not a new concept and is a cycle that fashion seems to go through, like most trends. The interesting part comes when you look at when the cycle turns or repeats itself. There seems to be a correlation between the length of your skirt and the general economic state of the country.
Economist George Taylor hypothesised that a long skirt indicated hard times financially while shorter lengths signalled prosperity. The theory suggested that when money is short, people tend to purchase clothing that is more practical and versatile. Because there are more occasions to wear a long skirt than a shorter one, fashion houses are able to sell more midi and maxi skirts, therefore helping with the financial struggles of the time. This is often paired with narratives around modesty and conservatism. When money is short, people will take any job they can get and don’t want to do anything to harm their chances of getting hired. This means a return to neutral colour palettes and modest clothing that covers and conceals. No brightly coloured hair, only “clean girl” aesthetics and slick-backed buns. Very demure.
This is mirrored on social media too. “Get Ready With Me” videos have shifted away from people showing off fun, whimsical outfits of self-expression to what can only be described as “corporate chic”. All the clothing hacks are about turning outfits you would wear to the club into appropriate office wear. All the makeup tutorials are neutral and subtle. Fashion has shifted from the bright,
indie palettes of 2020 and 2021 to “office siren”. Even our dress sense is centred around work and trying to survive among rising prices. Trendy colours are chosen to compliment as many outfit variations as possible, which is reflected in Pantone’s decision to name “Mocha Mousse” as their colour of the year.
overwhelming. Rewatching old movies or rereading your favourite book can offer a small but significant sense of control. Knowing exactly what will happen provides order and stability, especially when life feels unpredictable. This has been dubbed the Mister Rogers Effect. He began every episode by changing into his cardigan sweater and shoes while singing the same reassuring words. Putting on a movie that you know where the storyline leads and where all the jokes are creates the same kind of comfort that a routine provides. Dorothy is always going to click her heels three times and go back home to Kansas.
Humans conserve energy by choosing a course of action that requires the least amount of effort possible. This is why desire paths exist in the first place – people
Aesthetics are geared towards “quiet luxury” – in essence, how to look like you are rich without breaking the bank. This marks a strong shift away from the mid 2010s where money meant branding. You couldn’t turn your head without seeing a Guess shirt or a Gucci belt, but now, logos are seen as tacky.
Does it stop at skirt length though? Numerous other theories have begun to arise – lipstick sells better when money is tight, bag sizes increase in an economic downturn, blazers becoming trendy casual wear indicates financial strain, men’s underwear sales drop first when the economy crumbles. Fashion economists are divided on the validity of some of these claims, though some of them do hold water. A data analysis on Google searches over the last 20 years showed a significant relationship between blazers and consumer confidence, with bags and lipsticks demonstrating a similar correlation but to a lesser extent. Whether this is intentional or simply coincidental is unclear, especially as the world gets more complex, but fashion designers certainly seem to keep an eye on this data and display what the consumer wants to see on the runway.
The crux of the matter is this: social media says we’re in a recession, so we must be in one. The data, however, seems to be more inconclusive. Whether hemlines really do indicate hard times or if trends are as cyclical as the financial state of the world really remains to be seen. Just in case though, it is worth holding on to your flannel from 2014 – it might just be christened the next recession indicator.
A Comic Con Review: How Comic Con Showed its Care for Local Artistry and Local
Comic Con Africa came to Johannesburg once more for its sixth edition, and, as an attendee, all that can be said is that it was amazing. Filled with multiple exhibitions, workshops, and panel shows, it made for an entertaining and exciting experience for everyone in attendance.
Businesses
Africa. There were even Japanese lessons from the Japanese Language Club of South Africa. Although there was a spotlight on some of the international stars who took the time to visit South Africa, the majority of the focus was placed on the local talent, especially on the floors.
The four-day festival began on Thursday 28 August and ended on Sunday 31 August. It put on a wonderful display of South African artistry, showcasing its support for both local businesses and local artists. Dozens upon dozens of stalls filled the Johannesburg Expo Centre, making for a colourful and easy-to-get-lost-in character-filled maze. From Artist Alley and the Book Nook to Otaku Town, attendees had an overwhelming day. Being bored at Comic Con would be a choice – a very difficult one.
Artist Alley had hundreds of stalls and almost all of them were manned by South African artists. You could buy key chains, figurines, posters, paintings, and other art forms in all shapes and sizes. Some stalls even offered you the opportunity to commission an instant art piece. The sheer number of artists you could see and whose work you could support was staggering. Very few events in South Africa could have provided a place for so many artists to come together to show and sell their work.
On the main stage, international and local stars like Supernatural’s Misha Collins, The Boys’s Jessie T. Usher, Blood & Water’s Hungani Ndlovu, The River’s Jack Devnarain, and many more took the time to speak to the audience or host panel discussions on a variety of topics. Some of the panel discussions were a general show with an audience Q&A session afterwards while others were an interview to discuss AI use in film. Some of the smaller stages featured local creatives who spoke to attendees about their experiences as fantasy authors in South
There was another floor of vendors that saw small businesses selling their products. The trinkets ranged from candles that doubled as lotions to jewellery, comic books, prop and real daggers, and even magical alcohol. Larger companies like Nintendo, Kellogg's, and Disney had their own large stalls, but that did not take away from the smaller local businesses. Attendees were welcome to visit every stall they could, an activity that would have taken them all day.
Comic Con Africa was, in simple terms, a fun-filled adventure that put a spotlight on South African artistry and our nerdier local businesses.
would rather make their own path if it is shorter than the actual path. The principle of Least Effort explains that watching a familiar show takes less cognitive effort than an unfamiliar show, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we want. Reruns of The Office feel easier than committing to a brandnew show on Netflix that might be cancelled after one season. In a way, it can feel like self-care to just turn our minds off for a little while. So why do we keep coming back to stories we already know? Simply put, it’s because we enjoy them. The reasons we loved them the first time round are still there, waiting to be felt again. Comfort media is more than just entertainment – it is a way to reconnect with ourselves, find emotional stability, and take a break from the noise of everyday life. You are not just indulging in nostalgia; it is also a therapeutic form of self-care. After all, hearing the line "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" still brings the same warm feelings on rewatch number 87 as it did the first time.
Everything, no matter how different, is essentially connected and part of one another. This is what the art of collage aims to teach. Collages are created by combining various materials such as newspapers, magazines, letters, photographs, fabrics, and even human hair to create a singular layout of artwork. This art form is believed to have begun around 200 BCE, following the invention of paper. Chigiri-e is one of the earliest forms of collage, and it was a method used by Japanese literary artists. They would glue pieces of coloured paper together to decorate their calligraphy so that it appears as a watercolour painting. However, it was only in the 20th century that there was a dramatic rise in the use of this art form. Artists during the Dada and Surrealist Movements were using collage as a response to the ongoing political issues at that time, such as capitalism and critiquing the war.
In South Africa, collages have been created to portray the diverse culture and heritage of the country as well as to communicate sociopolitical issues. Cities such as Johannesburg are filled with walls that have been decorated with street art collage from artists layering paper, textiles, posters, and photographs onto them. These art pieces usually reflect the narratives of their surrounding communities.
Some notable names in the South African collage scene include Sam Nhlengethwa, Tsholo Motong, and Willie Bester who use the art of collage to depict the past and present lives of South Africans. Nhlengethwa’s work portrays the vibrant culture of Johannesburg, with inspiration from the city’s jazz and fashion scene, its urban street life, and its mining influence. His work aims to represent those that are usually overlooked by society. Motong is a South African fabric collage artist whose works are an ode to African women, especially having grown up under the influence of his grandmother – the woman who inspired him to use fabrics and colours. Tsholo’s artwork consists of combining traditional African fabrics such as Shweshwe (Lesotho and South Africa), Kalanga (Zimbabwe), Kente (Ghana), and Bògòlanfini (Mali) together to create one mosaic that combines different cultures in one story. The cultural identities tied to each fabric are glued together in unity to represent the interconnectedness of all people. Bester uses a technique of combining scrap materials, such as newspaper clippings and bones, to create powerful collages that confront the injustices of apartheid that have bred social injustices in present day South Africa. He also incorporates symbols such as the swastika in his work to represent the ills of society.
Collaging can be complex, but it is one of the most creative outlets you can use to express your views and ideals. Whether it is to portray the life and the people around you or the life that you dream of, collage can be anything you want it to be.
Visual: Maliyah Naidoo
Visual: Sourced
Katlego Malema
Sivenathi Makhanda
Cara Heymans
Visual: Maliyha Naidoo
The Parasocial Power of Taylor Swift Why Her Engagement Feels Personal
Melissa Aitchison
Taylor Swift’s recent engagement to Travis Kelce made headlines around the world, taking over everyone’s social media feeds and sparking countless debates among fans and casual observers alike. But why does this particular relationship trigger such an intense global response? Over the past 19 years, Taylor Swift has curated more than just a musical legacy. She has built a persona that feels deeply personal to millions of fans. Through intimate lyrics, candid storytelling, and a carefully curated image of relatability, Swift has built a brand that makes fans feel like they know her, not as a distant celebrity, but as a close personal friend. The result? A fiercely loyal fanbase that embraces her triumphs and heartbreaks as if they were their own. But with that deep, emotional investment comes something more complex: increasingly powerful parasocial relationships that show no signs of fading. So, what is a parasocial relationship? Psychologists define it as a one-sided connection you feel to someone that you have never met before and who does not know you exist. Andrew Selepark, a Media Production and Technology professor at University of Florida, says that there can be negative consequences to parasocial connections as they are “putting all this time and energy into concentrating on someone who will never know them rather than putting time and attention into their actual lives [and] into their actual relationships”. This parasocial behaviour has been made easy in recent years with social media. Now fans can find out a person’s interests, friend group, and love life all from the comfort of their homes. Wanting to know every little thing about a person is not healthy if it begins to impact your own life and relationships. It can also feel invasive for the celebrity. For Swift, this can be in the form of fans camping outside hotels and restaurants she visits, or even deep conspiracies about her love life and sexuality. Swift is known for dropping “easter eggs” or clues for upcoming works in her outfits and words, and fans have taken to doing mental gymnastics to figure out when new music will be released. This is sometimes justified when Swift sets puzzles to decode. However, fans have taken interactions she has with her partners, friends, and family as something to decipher intensively. Swift has since said that she will never make an easter egg about her personal life. Artists are allowed to encourage interaction between their work and the fans, however, they still have a right to privacy and boundaries.
from a recipe she posted on her tumblr over a decade ago. It is also shown in fans joining in on the friendship bracelet-making craze. There are healthy ways to be inspired by a parasocial relationship that enhance both parties’ lives, so why do so many people, even those that are not diehard fans, care about her engagement to Travis Kelce?
Taylor Swift’s 11-album career arc has been something so familiar and relatable for her listeners. Her music speaks the language of love in all its forms: the firsts, the failures, the frustrating in-betweens. Her discography depicts the kind of love that feels comforting one moment and toxic the next. There is a song out there for almost every situation –from friends to lovers to infidelity, and even to your boyfriend missing your 21st birthday. The world sees the relationships first in the tabloids, and then hears the emotional buildup and fallout in the songs. Since love and heartbreak are such big themes in her music, it is no wonder they have become just as central to how we view her as a celebrity. Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce might be the most public one she has ever had because her previous relationships have been kept mostly behind closed doors.
This time, however, fans have been along for the ride from the first viral moment on a football podcast to her announcing her 12th album on that very same podcast. Over the past two years, Swift and Kelce have been everywhere, and fans have embraced the opportunity to not just hear about it in lyrics but to witness it in real time. While Swift has always been open with her fans, what feels different this time is Kelce’s apparent appreciation for both her private self and her public persona. The world has spent nearly two decades watching someone sing about finding an all-encompassing, fairytale love, and, now that she is engaged and has shared how this relationship feels like everything she has written about wanting since 14, maybe you do not need to settle for less. Maybe there’s no deadline and no perfect plan or one right way to find love. Maybe it just happens when it is supposed to.
How To Hack the Economy
Milan Govender
What would you do with R475 000? Some people would use it to purchase the one-and-only 24-carat gold labubu, one of those quirky Japanese dolls that Karl Marx had thrown at his grave, giving him a fluffy, capitalist slap in the face. And for another epic crossover: a Dubai chocolate labubu. Society’s latest fascination is just one of the many commercial anomalies that dominate today’s economy. Ranging from the threein-one product that serves as a face mask, body wash, and a protein supplement to crypto NFTs, we have to wonder: how do we fall victim to the marketing tactics and trends of this day and age?
Humans are simple creatures. We like things, especially nice things. Some call it taste, some call it materialism, but at the end of the day, we buy, we sell, we reuse, we dispose. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are puppets in a production directed by money-hungry multinational corporations, written by our wretched capitalist forefathers and funded by our depressingly skinny wallets. However, participating in the toxic and colourful cycle of consumerism helps us cope with the many capitalist ills that we have to endure.
Here are some marketing strategies that you could either use to augment your comprehension of our everevolving economy or, for our homebase entrepreneurs, use to looksmaxx your ROIs.
1. Social Media Marketing
2. Edging Your Fans
Do you ever feel like you have been lovebombed by a musician? Let’s take a look at Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey. Both have niche audiences, both are super talented, and both keep us waiting on the edge of our seats. This phenomenon is known as the scarcity effect and eventisation, especially when they perform unreleased music at their concerts.
We start with the light topic of the modern-day eugenics of Sydney Sweeney’s jeans and Katseye’s vibey response. Sweeney’s American Eagle advert received approximately 150 million views across various platforms, while Katseye’s brought in 400 million. Say what you want, but controversy breeds capital. Social media is arguably one of the most effective digital marketing platforms powered by the formidable force of our doomscrolling. The need to have constant access to our social media is what drives the social media marketing industry. (Side note: has anyone seen Spar’s TikToks recently? Top tier entertainment.)
]On the topic of celebrities… both Beyoncé and Rihanna exploit that mysterious girl aesthetic they have, cultivating their aura when they stay quiet between releases. These two have mastered the music industry, and they are also active members of the Celebrity Entrepreneurship Club. The brand extensions of Rihanna’s Fenty, earning over $1 billion in annual revenue, and Beyoncé’s Cécred, having two million paying customers in its first six months, were economically genius. Imagine someone asks you, “What are you going to do with your fame?” and you respond with “Triple my net worth.” Iconic, truly. Switching Up the Flavours Switch takes on the strategy of mass customisation – appealing to the target audience through a variety of options. You would think a prickly pear or sour worm-flavoured drink wouldn’t perform well, but somehow, Switch makes it work. Every week, I see new colours, new designs, new flavours, new everything. That design team is definitely working overtime.
5. Keeping Up with Uncle Sam
While the West turns the steering wheel of today’s fashion, us South Africans turn to the saving graces of Cotton On and H&M. They might seem basic, but the occidental approach keeps the company’s CEO out of the economy seats. By filling a much-desired gap in the market, these retailers bring what others cannot – a generational essential. Baggy jeans, tote bags, and overpriced hoodies. The lesson these companies need to learn is if it works, don’t fix it.
By Reading This Article, I Confirm That I Am Not Anish Kapoor
Cara Heymans
However, it does not have to be completely nefarious. Swift has been open about certain aspects of her personal life and interests, and through lyrics of her songs, she has created a connection between her and the fans. This is reflected in Swifties baking her chai sugar cookies
In the end, Taylor Swift’s engagement does not just feel like celebrity news – it feels like a personal milestone for fans who’ve grown up alongside her music. For 19 years, her songs have mirrored our own heartbreaks, hopes, and dreams. So, when she finds the kind of love she’s written about for years, it feels like a win not just for her, but for everyone who has been quietly rooting for their own version of that story. In a way, we have all been on the journey with her, and when her lyrics feel like they’ve been pulled from your own life, it’s hard not to take the happy ending a little bit personally too.
HOROSCOPES
Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Don’t only focus on the outcome, pause and pay attention to the efforts that lead you there.
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Take a closer look at daily practices and notice how small steps benefit you greatly.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Don’t feel guilty about cancelling plans to prioritise your rest.
Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
Shed familiarity and try new things.
Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21)
Take responsibility and let your genuine self shine through.
Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)
Be careful when it comes to quick judgements –take time to understand the whole situation.
Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Receive your praise but always remember that humility is key.
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
A minor failure is coming: take on the lesson, shake off the pain, and move onto greener pastures.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Take a closer look at the details of an upcoming plan.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Don’t be afraid to receive the help offered to you.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Take that break; you are allowed to.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Focus on understanding and grounding yourself.
“I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker colour” – Fall Out Boy, 2018.
What is the darkest colour? Black? In terms of what is commercially available, yes. However, a British company named Surrey NanoSystems created a product that absorbs 99.96% of all light. Known as Vantablack, the array of carbon tubules is widely regarded as “the world’s blackest black”. Sounds cool, right?
The less-cool part is that it is an exclusive technology. Soon after Vantablack was released to the public, British artist and sculptor Anish Kapoor entered into a partnership with the parent company to continue developing the product. This name may be familiar to you because he is the artist who created the famous Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago. The one that looks like a giant silver bean (and maybe has a man trapped inside… but that’s a story for another day). The one condition Kapoor had was that he maintained exclusive rights to using the substance.
Owning a colour is not a new concept. Throughout the years, various companies have trademarked their shade, meaning no one else can use it or profit off of it – think of Barbie pink or Tiffany blue. But for some reason, this seemed to be the last straw for the art world. Numerous artists expressed their outrage over a single person owning a colour.
hands of Anish Kapoor.” (culturehustle.com)
The premise was simple: as long as Kapoor retained exclusive rights to Vantablack, he would not be legally permitted to possess any of Semple’s products. Of course, the allure of forbidden fruit was too much to resist (which is why this all started in the first place). Soon after, Kapoor made an Instagram post with his middle finger dipped in the pink pigment and captioned it “up yours”.
There was only one way to retaliate. In 2017, Semple released “Black 2.0”, a paint that was even darker than the standard black acrylic you can find at a craft store. More importantly, you only needed a brush as opposed to expensive high-tech tubes. It was way more accessible (to all but one, of course). He also released “The World’s Most Glittery Glitter”, made from crushed glass. It is recommended that you do not handle this product with bare hands. Or, perhaps, dip your fingers in it.
Since then, Semple has gone on to produce two more iterations of his black paint, as well as a variety of other colours. He has been on a campaign to “liberate” colours from companies that trademark them. However, this has not been without controversy; the artist used Pantone colours to form a digital artwork that was auctioned off as an NFT, which has negative environmental implications.
The feud came to a head in 2024 after years of public drama and private lawsuits. In October 2024, Semple legally changed his name. To Anish Kapoor. Semple regarded it as a piece of performance art that was meant to discuss the concept of a name linking to an identity. Does this now mean he cannot buy his own products? Will the still-elusive deal regarding the acquisition of Vantablack now apply to him too? Only time will tell.
One person took their outrage a step further: Stuart Semple retaliated. He released a pigment powder that had been in development called the “Pinkest Pink” on his website, along with a disclaimer: “By adding this product to your cart, you confirm that you are not Anish Kapoor, you are in no way affiliated to Anish Kapoor, you are not purchasing this item on behalf of Anish Kapoor or an associate of Anish Kapoor. To the best of your knowledge, information, and belief, this paint will not make its way into [the]
What can you take from all this? Does someone have the right to possess exclusive access to a colour merely by funding its creation? Can companies bar others from using a colour? Will they ever free the man stuck inside The Bean Cloud Gate? Who knows.
Visual: Domonique Bennetts
Visual: Domonique Bennetts
Let It All Work Out: Eberechi Eze
Hlomla Henna
Eberechi Oluchi Eze signed for Arsenal on 24 August 2025. The 27-year-old England international joined the Gunners on a long-term contract from Crystal Palace for up to £67.5 million. As Arsenal legend Ian Wright said in the announcement video, Eze is capable and has shown the ability to create and raise levels, hairs, and the roof. At one stage, it looked like he would sign for Tottenham Hotspurs – Arsenal’s North London rival. However, it was an obvious decision between the two for the boyhood Arsenal fan. This article will not only delve into how this transfer came about, but also Eze’s journey as a whole. In 2006, Eze, who hails from a family of Arsenal fans, joined the club’s academy. He could not be any prouder, and at that age, he was known at school as the boy who played for Arsenal. “It was everything at the time”, Eze told Men in Blazers However, at just 13-years-old he was released from the set-up – a heart-breaking reality for the vast majority of children in organised football
Showdown in the PSL Sundowns vs Pirates
Betty Molefe
Mark your calendars! 1 November is not just any day; it is the day that Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns face off in what is certain to be one of the season’s most anticipated matches.
Football has a special way of bringing people together, and this game will be no different. Whether you are a loyal supporter or simply interested in the excitement of sports, this match is full of anticipation.
This match is about more than which team wins. It is about the vibe, the feeling of unity, and the sense of being a part of something bigger. That is what will make the event memorable despite the deep rivalries.
It is also an opportunity for students to take a break from academics and to connect with their peers and other supporters in honour of a shared joy: the game of football. This match celebrates the determination, collaboration, and beauty of athletics in one setting.
Moments like these remind us of the joys of being a part of a crowd – cheering, feeling, and living fully, even if it can be overwhelming. Make sure you are there to witness it all!
in England. This was especially difficult for the 13-year-old boy whose “identity was almost wrapped up in that”, Eze told BBC Sport Fulham, Reading, and Millwall were the next set of brief pit stops along his journey, but he was released from those clubs too. Further rejection lay ahead of him in the form of failed trials at clubs such as Bristol City and Sunderland. This continued until he found a footballing home at Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in 2016. He told Versus, “My trust and faith in God and the gift He has given me, I just allowed it to fuel me and fill me up, which was important.”
At QPR, everything clicked for the midfielder who glides with the ball at his feet. A perfect balance of coaches and teammates who believed in him, coupled with a successful loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, resulted in Eze beginning to blossom into the footballer we see today.
The 2019/2020 season saw Eze score 14 goals for the club and provide 8 assists on his way to being named QPR Player Of The Season and earning a spot in the Championship Team of the Season.
On 28 August 2020, Crystal Palace spent £17.8 million on Eze. He would immediately provide a return on investment, scoring on his debut for the South London Club. His five years at the club had its ups and downs as the midfielder suffered from a ruptured achilles injury just after being named in the provisional England squad for the 2020 European Football Championships, also known as the Euros. Eze returned as a stronger player and person, and he would later become a
full-time England international. His time at Crystal Palace culminated in the team winning their first ever major trophy in the form of the FA Cup. The club followed up this victory with another, qualifying for European football for the first time. Eze was pivotal in the club’s fairytale run as he scored in the quarter final, semi final, and final, where his first half goal saw the team win against Manchester City.
During the recent transfer window, it became clear that the Palace star had paid his dues and was ready for a new challenge. Interest from Arsenal appeared early in the transfer window, but that
interest seemed to dwindle. Tottenham Hotspurs stepped in, and, for all intents and purposes, it seemed as if that would be his final destination. However, at the eleventh hour, Eze called Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta himself to find out if the club still wanted him, and soon enough, he was on his way to the red half of North London. Eze’s journey is proof that closed mouths do not get fed and that relentlessly going after what you want can lead to the desired result. “His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to join our club,” Mikel Arteta said after Eze signed for the club.
The pertinent question remains: can he lead the Gunners to that elusive Premier League or UEFA Champions League trophy? The team already boasts the best defensive record in the Premier League for the last two seasons, and after strengthening themselves during the transfer window with other star recruits, the team seems well equipped to do so. Liverpool FC will no doubt stand in their way, with the reigning Premier League champions aiming to retain their crown after an exceptional transfer window and defeating the Gunners 1 0 at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Eberechi Eze brings with him a reputation of uplifting his former teams and bringing trophies to a club that had not won beforehand. Eze and Arsenal will look to continue the tradition this season and finally win a major trophy to bring joy to a football club that has come so close to glory. One thing is for sure: this homecoming was worth the wait.
FPL’s Place In Modern Football Culture
Hlomla Henna
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is a virtual game that was introduced during the 2002/2003 Premier League season. It is an official game run by the Premier League where you have £100 million to spend on 15 players. Each player is priced differently according to their position and how often they earn a large number of points. Each fantasy team manager is limited to a maximum of three players from one Premier League team. The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible during the gameweek based on the performances of your chosen players. Goals, assists, and clean sheets are the most direct routes to points.
Over the years, the game has grown from strength to strength until it exploded. Today, over 11 million players compete across the globe in international, national, and local leagues. Players can even be in a private league with their friends and family. Many Premier League players enjoy the game and are often faced with the dilemma of whether or not to pick and play themselves in their fantasy team.
FPL has become a part of modern-day football culture, with fans supporting their own real-life teams and their fantasy teams. Players use their fantasy teams to beat their rivals in
private leagues that they have created. The winners are often presented with prizes while the losers forfeit, depending on the group of individuals.
The game includes special chips such as a Wildcard, a Free Hit, a Triple Captain, and a Bench Boost, which adds to the excitement of the game. How a fantasy manager plays their chips and in what order are crucial to their success.
This brings variety to the game, especially when template teams start to develop. These template teams are comprised of highly owned players who regularly deliver the most points. The likes of Mohammed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Cole Palmer have all, at one stage or another, been staples in the majority of teams.
Surprisingly, this game has become somewhat of an industry. The Premier League hosts an official television show and YouTube podcast about the FPL.
Successful FPL content creators are now able to
All Eyes on the US Open
Cuma Mancotywa
In the final grand slam showdown of the year, Carlos Alcaraz surged past defending champion Jannik Sinner, winning 6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4, to claim his second US Open title. It was a performance that sent waves throughout the tennis world as Alcaraz secured the trophy and reclaimed the World Number One spot from Sinner. Alcaraz’s hard-court mastery was on full display. From his powerful, precise serve (10 aces, 0 double faults, and an 83% win rate on his first serve) to the variety in his shot-making, he managed to keep Sinner off-balance throughout the match. This showdown marked the third consecutive major final between the reigning World Number One and World Number Two, a rare feat in tennis history. This showcased how deeply this rivalry has defined the men’s game in 2025. Alcaraz’s US Open win was no accident. He admitted that he studied their earlier Wimbledon final at length, working closely
with coaches to shape a new approach that allowed him to incorporate more slices, spins, and variation to throw Sinner off his game. That preparation paid off handsomely. In a hard-hitting yet nuanced performance, he combined raw power with tactical intelligence to dethrone the defending champion. Despite the loss, Sinner emerged with respect and introspection. He recognised the need to evolve his game, noting he has become “a bit more predictable”, and emphasised the need for adaptation if he hopes to gain the upper hand next time. Sinner’s championship character also shone through despite his defeat. His professionalism, humility, and willingness to learn from setbacks offer promise for another strong run in future slams.
The Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry has been one of sport’s most riveting stories this year. They have already met five times in 2025, with Alcaraz winning four of those encounters. Along the way, the pair competed against each other in three grand slam finals (the
French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open), making them the first men’s pair to do so in a single year in the Open Era.
Sinner broke through at Wimbledon, clinching his maiden title, but Alcaraz responded by turning the tables at the US Open to restore balance. With this year’s major titles now split evenly among them, their rivalry has taken on the feel of a “passing of the torch” moment, and it is far from over. Alcaraz captured the essence of their battle succinctly, saying, “We push each other to the limit every time. My practices are just focused to see how I can be better just to beat Jannik.”
make this game their livelihoods. Because of their success in the game, thousands flock to their channels for tactical advice and clever strategies to optimise their teams. Remarkably, the game has been able to bring in people who were not fans of the Premier League beforehand, but once they developed a strong interest for FPL, the actual league followed suit.
Whether a person is obsessed with the analytics, predicting the future, or simply performing better than their friends and family, the game has something in it for everybody. The FPL community has become a phenomenon on social media, YouTube, and households across the world.
Join our new PDBY Fantasy League Community today using the
The 2025 US Open brought the major tennis season to a dramatic close, or perhaps, to a thrilling beginning. Alcaraz’s return to World Number One coupled with Sinner’s hunger for improvement signals an ongoing shift in the men’s game. Gone are the days when the “Big Three” dominated the headlines; a new‑generation rivalry is firmly in the spotlight.
As the final major tournament of the year, this match was not just about the trophy – it was a statement.
Tennis is entering an era defined by youthful excellence, strategic depth, and unpredictable matchups. The Alcaraz-Sinner saga has become a must-watch for fans, and it promises many more chapters to come.
The 2025 US Open final was not just a thrilling conclusion to the major season – it was a microcosm of a wider tennis renaissance. Alcaraz reclaimed supremacy with a masterclass of preparation and adaptability. Although he was defeated, Sinner emerged stronger, more introspective, and more dangerous. Their rivalry, overflowing with respect and fuelled by fiery competition, has already defined a season, and it is just getting started.
Photos: Sourced
Photo: Sourced
Making History
Tuks Cheerleading Hosts First-Ever Championship
TuksCheerleading became the firstever hosts of South Africa’s national cheerleading championship, making it a memorable weekend. It was instantly obvious that this was more than a competition. It was an honouring of skill, school spirit, and genuine excitement. The atmosphere was electric with the sound of music, shouting supporters, and teams giving it their best.
With their incredible performances full of lifts, flips, and stunts, TuksCheerleading had everyone on their feet. But the team’s spirit and motivation are the kind that comes from months of preparation, late-night sessions, and a passion for what they do.
This was more than just a competition; it served as a reminder to all of us of what makes being a member of UP so unique. This championship proved that there is so much more to university life than studying and writing tests. It highlighted the amazing things that can take place when we allow our passions to grow and develop.
Regardless of your interests in academics, athletics, or the arts, the message is the same: your work matters, and your opinion matters. Incredible things occur when we come together. Students who take charge one another, as seen by TuksCheer.
Sport
Levelling the Playing Field: The Rise of Women’s Sport
Cayden Coetzer
Women’s sport is having a breakthrough moment. Across the globe, crowds are breaking attendance records, new leagues are forming, and female athletes are commanding attention in ways the sporting world has never seen before. From packed stadiums at the Women’s Rugby World Cup to sell-out WNBA games, the message is clear: women’s sport is no longer a footnote – it is the main event.
But with all this progress comes an equally important truth: the fight is far from over.
The rise of women’s sport is visible everywhere. In the United States, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has reached new heights, with some games drawing bigger television audiences than men’s fixtures. Europe has seen similar waves: the UEFA
Women’s Euros final in 2022 pulled in 87 000 fans at Wembley, setting the record for the highest attendance at a European Championship, men’s or women’s. Beyond the scoreboard, investments are growing.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League was formed in 2023, giving athletes new professional pathways. Baseball and basketball leagues dedicated to women are also taking root, backed by corporate sponsors and major streaming deals. Even gaming platforms have caught up. EA Sports’ FIFA now includes women’s national and club teams, helping to expose a new generation to women’s sport.
Despite this momentum, challenges persist. Financial backing for women’s leagues remains uneven, with many athletes juggling full-time jobs alongside professional competition. Media coverage is still vastly
From Field to Full Ride
Cuma Mancotywa
Tdisproportionate: studies show women’s sports receive less than 15% of global sports coverage. This lack of visibility has ripple effects. Less coverage means fewer sponsorship deals, which means fewer resources for development at the grassroots level. This cycle keeps women athletes fighting harder for recognition even as they achieve extraordinary feats.
At its core, the rise of women’s sport is about more than competition. It is about visibility, equity, and rewriting cultural norms. Every time a record is broken – whether in the stands, on the pitch, or in sponsorship deals – it chips away at the outdated belief that sport is a man’s domain.
The future of women’s sport is still being written. The question is: will we be spectators on the sidelines or active players in leveling the playing field?
here is something poetic about transforming raw athletic passion into structured opportunity – a beautiful combination of ambition and academic pursuit. At the University of Pretoria, this transformation often unfolds through the Sport Performance Support Bursary: a pathway that turns field-level promise into full-fledged university support.
TuksSport is not just an athletic department; it is an instrument for potential, housing world-class programmes, expert coaching, and state-of-the-art support systems designed to sculpt student-athletes into well-rounded contributors to both sport and society.
Each year, the university opens applications for its Sport Performance Support Bursary across over 30 sporting codes, ranging from athletics, hockey, tennis, and chess to canoeing and wrestling. This captures the diverse dreams of South Africa’s sporting youth.
This bursary is not only reserved for elite prodigies; it is accessible to any athlete who is a registered, fulltime student accepted into a course at UP, demonstrates excellence in a single sport, practises with dedication,
and aspires to compete at either provincial or national level. Most importantly, you do not need to be studying Sport Sciences to apply. The stage is open for any field of study, as long as your sporting heart beats strong. It is more than a monetary grant – it is access to a support system of scientific and fitness testing, medical care, tactical and technical coaching, sports psychology sessions, and ongoing fitness and performance monitoring. These resources uplift you as both an athlete and a scholar, allowing you to be anchored in both physical and mental resilience.
Applications typically open around 1 May and close by mid-August each year, with the upcoming deadline for 2026 bursaries being around 31 July 2026. Submit the form for your sport and gather your documents, including a high-quality action photo, recent academic results (grade 11 if you are entering first-year), a sports CV (highlight your milestones, training plans, strengths, and focus areas), and other relevant achievements like leadership roles or cultural involvement.
office ensuring that your application is clear and complete (incorrect or incomplete submissions are strictly disqualified). Await the outcome of your application – you typically hear back within three weeks. If that confirmation does not arrive, reaching out proactively signals professionalism. If you are successful, you will sign a yearly contract promising dedication in both sport and academics, and acknowledging that underperformance may result in bursary reduction or removal.
Send everything via email to the TuksSport bursary
A TuksSport bursary equips you with more than just gear and grants; it empowers you with structure, support, and a community of like-minded achievers. For the young athletes in South Africa, TuksSport stands as a gateway, not just to a degree, but to potential unlocked, identity forged, and excellence pursued. Good luck to all that apply, and work hard if you are a bursary holder.
Goats on Two Wheels: Inside the World of Hard Enduro Racing
Cayden Coetzer
When you think of dirt bikes, chances are motocross comes to mind – bikes flying overhead, jumping, speeding, and plenty of adrenaline. However, tucked away in the mountains and rocky trails of the world lies a motorsport even more extreme: Hard Enduro. Imagine 4x4 vehicles grinding up impossible terrain, and then replace the cars with dirt bikes and double the level of difficulty. That is Hard Enduro – one of the toughest, rawest sports few outside the community have heard of.
For Alec van Niekerk, a UP student and Silver Class Hard Enduro competitor, the sport is more than just a hobby. It is a passion forged from family, perseverance, and a drive to push himself beyond what most would consider possible.
Van Niekerk’s introduction to the sport came early thanks to his father’s work at Yamaha. “My dad was a big factor,” Van Niekerk recalls. “He used to organise races, ride with clients, and bring me and my brother along. That’s how I met some of the country’s best riders.” At 13, Van Niekerk received his first bike. He started riding casually, but soon, the spark became a flame. “There was a local race I entered just for fun, and to my shock, I won my class. That’s when the fire inside me lit.” Since then, he has built an impressive list of achievements: finishing the legendary Roof of Africa in 2021, placing third at the Impi Hard Enduro, and winning the EWXC series in Gauteng. Each moment has solidified his place in one of the world’s toughest motorsports.
Hard Enduro is often misunderstood, even by motorsport fans. Van Niekerk explains it simply,
saying, “Everyone knows 4x4 cars in the mountains – imagine that, but now on a two-wheel dirt bike with ten times more rocks and much steeper terrain.”
Unlike motocross, which focuses on speed and jumps, or traditional Enduro, which is more of a sprint, Hard Enduro is a marathon. Riders conserve energy while navigating brutal obstacles: near-vertical climbs, jagged rocks, riverbeds, and cliffs.The sport also has a unique classification system: Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with Gold reserved for the world’s best professionals. Competing in Silver, Van Niekerk describes it as “the level where the best riders who still have day jobs compete, before stepping into the professional Gold class”.
Races vary wildly, from 5km loops that take over an hour due to the sheer difficulty to 200km epics spread across mountains and valleys.
For Van Niekerk, Hard Enduro is not just about competition – it is about community. “When a rider gets stuck or struggles, it’s an unwritten rule help each other. You get off your bike and help the guy in front of you, and he will return the favour, and a chain is created where everyone helps [each other]. It’s that mindset ‘We are both in this together.’”
Despite the extreme demands, there is little financial incentive. Prize money is minimal compared to mainstream motorsports like Formula One. Instead, the reward lies in finishing. “Even you don’t win, the fact that you overcame all the obstacles is an achievement on its own,” Van Niekerk says.
The preparation is grueling. He trains daily on his bicycle for one to two hours, spends weekends
riding for up to six hours, and follows a strict diet. The mental preparation is just as demanding. “We ride in very remote locations. The idea of getting injured, or literally falling to your death, is very real. You have to keep telling yourself to hang in there.”
Hard Enduro has a massive global presence, particularly in Europe, where it draws huge crowds and professional sponsorships through the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. For Van Niekerk, competing internationally is eye-opening. “The quality of everything is increased – tracks, organisation, atmosphere. Win one of those, and you’re instantly on the radar of sponsors.”
Closer to home, South Africa has its own crown jewel: the Roof of Africa in Lesotho, which is considered one of the toughest races in the world. Van Niekerk believes that the sport has the potential to grow among young South Africans, even though cost remains
a barrier. “It’s an exhilarating sport, but it’s extremely expensive. That’s the biggest hurdle, both locally and internationally.”As a UP student, Van Niekerk knows the challenge of balancing academics with racing. “Some months, university comes first, and when it’s quieter, I focus on the sport. Life is about balance, so even if it’s late at night, I make sure to night, I make sure to train.” The discipline he has developed carries over into his studies. “Training every day, even when you don’t feel like it, is the same as pushing through tiredness to study for exams. It teaches perseverance.” His advice to fellow students is simple. “Don’t procrastinate. See your passion as the reward. Grind through your work now so you can have time for what you love.”
Van Niekerk hopes to move into the Gold Class next year as he transitions into the workforce and has more flexibility to race. Beyond personal goals, he sees Hard Enduro as a teacher of resilience. “Imagine it’s raining, you’re on the side of a mountain, and there’s not a single living creature in sight. Situations like that build character and prepare you for the worst in life,” he says. For any student that is intimidated by the sport, Van Niekerk’s answer is simple. “Don’t be. The community is very welcoming. The more people that join, the bigger the sport gets, and you never know if you’ll love it until you try.” In a world where many sports are dominated by money and fame, Hard Enduro stands apart. It is a sport fueled purely by passion, grit, and the will to keep going when everything in you wants to stop.
For Alec van Niekerk, it is more than racing dirt bikes – it is a way of life that proves resilience, camaraderie, and determination can carry you up even the steepest of mountains.
Betty Molefe
Visual: Jason Visser
Visual: Sourced
Visual: Sourced
