18 january 2014 issue 1 Year 76

Perdeby Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks

18January2014

Meet the SRC

The student catalogue

P4

P11

year76issue 01

Finding your platform to perform

P16

TuksSports’s success in 2013

P24

First years edition

UP’s Hatfield campus as seen from the Humanities Building. Photo: Brad Donald and Reinhard Nell

KEEPING STUDENTS HEALTHY FOR OVER 50 YEARS The Fields, 1066 Burnett Street, Hatifeld - Tel: 012 342 4546 - www.woolfsonspharmacy.co.za

2

18 January ‘14

Perdeby Work hard and be nice to people www.perdeby.co.za perdeby@up.ac.za m.perdeby.co.za @perdebynews Tel: (012) 420 6600

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Carel Willemse

carel.willemse@up.ac.za @Ed_in_Chief

Editor Maxine Twaddle

perdeby@up.ac.za @MissMax6

News Molebogeng Mangoale

news@perdeby.co.za @DisneyMdee

Features Maggie Roodt

features@perdeby.co.za @Maggiejroodt

Entertainment Michal-Maré Linden

Welcome to the Big Bad World. I think you might like it here. entertainment@perdeby.co.za @MicsLinden

Sport Maxine Twaddle

sport@perdeby.co.za @MissMax6

Web Marko Svicevic

@MarkoSvicevic1

copy@perdeby.co.za @IndiaGoncalves

Layout Rebecca Paulsen

layout@perdeby.co.za @UtdRedAngel

Visuals Brad Donald

visuals@perdeby.co.za @Brad3rs

Teams Layout Thabang Letageng Ditshego Madopi Thabang Matebane Copy Dylan Coleman Herman Hoogenboezem Gloria Mbogoma Keegan Schmidt Tahnee Otto

Advertising Sales Tel: 012 420 6600 Cell: 083 318 9738 carel.willemse@up.ac.za

Copyright Perdeby is printed by Paarlmedia. All rights reserved. Contributions are welcome. All due care will be taken with materials submitted, but Perdeby and printers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend or alter in any way deemed nescessary. Perdeby cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The opinions expressed in Perdeby are not necessarily those of the editors and printers of Perdeby.

From the Editor

also here to gain life experience. You can’t spend your student years sitting behind your desk with books – trust me, you’ll miss out on far too much.

People aren’t lying when they say that the years you spend at university are the best of your life. Never again will you have the opportunity to be as carefree as you are now.

Make the most of this. Always have fun and remember that you’re allowed to make a few mistakes as long as you learn from them. In fact, chances are that you’re going to screw something up at least once during your university career. I promise that it won’t mean the end of the world. Do what you can to fix it, learn a lesson, and move on.

The great thing about university is that people are a bit more forgiving than they are in high school. They’re also a lot more loyal, so when (not if) you find yourself regretting something, trust that your friends will support you. You spend so much time with your university friends that they start to feel like your family.

It’s difficult to leave the security of high school and home behind, but it’s worth it in the end. Embrace the change and the challenges university presents you with.

Max

Message from the Editor-in-Chief

webeditor@perdeby.co.za @perdebynews

Copy India Gonçalves

I’m always a little bit jealous of first years at the beginning of the year. You feel pretty much invincible when you walk onto campus for the first time as a university student. That feeling is going to go away very quickly, but don’t worry too much. You’re going to have a fantastic time here.

One of the things I’m most jealous about is that as a first year you have so many opportunities to find something you’re really passionate about. You get less inclined to take on new things as your workload increases each year. Finding something you really love doing is probably the most important thing you should do while you’re at university.

William Butler Yeats, one of my favourite poets, is often quoted as saying “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” (whether Yeats actually said this is open for debate, as there is no physical evidence linking the Irish poet to the quote). It doesn’t matter if you believe that these words came from Yeats or not, what’s important is to remember them throughout your university career. If you leave university having only studied what is written in your textbooks, you haven’t learnt enough.

You’re not at university just to study, whatever the people funding your degree might say. Obviously you’re here to learn, but you’re

Editorial

Student media and student publications in particular form the life blood of journalism in South African. Most of the student newspapers around the country have been around since before democracy existed in the country and

even before South Africa became a republic.

This specific newspaper has been around for 76 years. This obviously means that Perdeby has seen a very wide spectrum of the development of this country and provided students with a platform to discuss an array of subjects, some more controversial than others.

It does however remain our responsibility to bring you the truth, an unbiased and balanced account of what is happening on your campus.

But we need your help. You are our eyes and ears on campus, so send in your news tips, letters or comments and if you would like to be part of this vibrant team, keep an eye out for the application form at the end of February.

I can guarantee you as our reader that during 2014 (a vast news year) you will read stories in this newspaper that will make you laugh, make you think, inform you and even make you uncomfortable. In the end what we would like to achieve is to initiate discourse among the student community about things that matter and directly affect you. Should you come across anything that you feel is in the public interest of your fellow students, let us know at perdeby@ up.ac.za During the next couple of years you will fall in love and get your heart broken, make mistakes and learn from them, operate on caffeine and plan your social calendar around semester tests and exams. At the end of it all you will be ready to enter the real world, the

one you were warned about by your parents, the world where you can only survive if you have an education. What they do not tell you is that the real knowledge isn’t just acquired in the lecture halls of UP. It is in your everyday dealings with the people at UP. My advice is to get involved, be it Perdeby, TuksFM, Rag or Stuku, societies, student politics or day houses.

If you aren’t involved you will never really experience student life.

Even though the three to five years you spend at university will be the best of your life, it is important to remember that South Africa is in dire need of responsible leadership.

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) has been hard at work this last year structuring a leadership curriculum which aims to develop leadership skills among students. The aim of this program is to deliver a well-rounded graduate with leadership qualities. Should you become involved in one of the activities I mentioned above, you will be fortunate enough to take part in the leadership development of DSA. You are a select minority of the country`s population who is afforded a tertiary education.

Use this opportunity to become the leaders of tomorrow, the leaders that this country is so desperately in need of.

Carel Willemse Editor-in-Chief

Editorial

3

18 January ‘14

The questions Get to know the 2014 Perdeby editorial 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

We asked our section editors some questions about being a student at Tuks.

A do and a don’t for first years Where to go in Hatfield An event you have to go to You aren’t a Tuks student until...

Campus’s best kept secret Something every first year needs

India Gonçalves Head copy editor

Marko Svicevic Web editor

Maggie Roodt Features editor

1. Do get a small bag for your textbooks. No one likes to get knocked out by an oversized bag.

Don’t ever walk slowly through the Student Centre, especially when you’re with a group of friends.

2. The obvious answer is Aandklas.

3. Park Acoustics, which is held every month at the Voortrekker Monument grounds. Good music, friends and sun (most of the time), what more could you ask for?

4. You pull an all-nighter (partying, studying or both, the choice is yours) and then go to class looking and feeling like a zombie.

5. It’s not really a secret but Campus Kiosk sells awesome (read “huge”) frozen yoghurt cups. Enjoy it in the gardens near the Botany Building but watch out for the bees.

6. An endless supply of coffee and two-minute noodles, but not simultaneously. You want to make it through first year after all, not end up at the Student Health Services with severe indigestion.

1. Do read Perdeby and get a map of the university, but don’t ever ask seniors for directions. Also, no one is interested in how many distinctions you got nor what school you’re from, so don’t bother trying to impress anyone. Live by your own standards.

Oh, and that’s not to say you should dye your hair fluorescent pink: “Everything in moderation, even moderation.”

2. Aandklas has the best chips, but their alcohol is also great.

3. Oppi, Ramfest, Rag, Spring Day, am I forgetting something?

Go to all of them.

4. You’ve failed a module.

5. The original Mapungubwe golden rhino housed in the Old Arts Building. It’s pretty amazing.

6. Vodka. It gets you through long days, eases your pain after a horrible test and never fails to deceive you into thinking that you are a good dancer.

1. Do attend all your classes.

Join Perdeby to make friends and to get amazing work experience. Stock up on multivitamins to keep you healthy and on the go.

Don’t neglect your eight hours of sleep or your eating regime – it will take its toll on you.

2. Aandklas. You are bound to meet cool people, such as Captain Morgan.

3. Oppikoppi. No student’s life is complete until you have gotten dusty and dirty at this notorious festival.

4. You have seen campus in the spring when everything is covered with purple blossoms.

5. This is something every student has to discover on their own.

It’s a secret for a reason.

6. A group of funny and supportive friends.

Rebecca Paulsen Layout editor

Molebogeng Mangoale News editor

Brad Donald Visuals editor

1. Do read Perdeby and join a society on campus. Now listen carefully kids, don’t get stuck in the turnstiles with a crowd of people behind you, don’t tell BA students that their degrees are easy (trust me, I’ll hurt you myself) and don’t ask seniors for directions. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

2. Who said Aandklas? Oh yeah, and Hatfield Square too.

3. Never miss the Tuks Spring Day bash held sometime in September, or the Homecoming Picnic held three times a year at the Centurion Rugby Club. Thank me later.

4. You have missed a lecture (or two) to chill at the Student Centre or lie down on the grass next to the HSB. 5. The Botanical Garden somewhere behind the AIM Labs and the Sci-Enza. The place is heavenly and one just gets lost in the beauty of nature. You actually even forget that you are on the busy Hatfield campus.

6. A friend in every single module you have to give you notes when you’ve skipped class (whatever the reason). I shouldn’t forget energy drinks either. You are going to use them so much you might even start having one with breakfast.

1. Do watch every Varsity Cup home game. Don’t block up the walkways with your large group of friends so that no one can pass.

2. Aandklas is a must, no questions about it.

3. Splashy Fen Music Festival in Underberg.

It is a long drive, but definitely worth it.

4. Skip class(es) and go have a drink at Oom Gert’s.

5. White chocolate chocochino at Fego.

6. Microwave – this is essential. Don’t worry, its not to carry around, but you will see its value soon.

1. Do spend as much time as possible making friends. That’s really hard to do after first year is finished.

Don’t stay at the Square after 03:00, or else you might find yourself at Dropzone.

2. It has to be Aandklas.

You will never have better (or drunker)

times.

3. Oppikoppi. It’s the best place in the world. If you miss it, you’ll only end up suffering from a severe case of Fomo.

4. You’ve ordered 36 wings from Uncle Faouzi after a drunken night out.

5. The whole of campus at night is so beautiful, and creepy.

But really, you should check it out.

6. I guess the obvious answer would be a laptop. How else will you watch three seasons of Game of Thrones the week before a semester test?

Michal-Maré Linden Entertainment editor 1. Do go to all your classes.

Don’t complain about how hard your degree is. This will be as easy as it gets.

2. +27 Café. They have free Wi-Fi and Nutella milkshakes.

3. RAMFest. This year will be my third. Also, Biffy Clyro and Foals are headliners.

4. You’ve walked around campus barefoot.

5. The Music Library has unoccupied plug points and computers that you can print from without having to stand in a line for 20 minutes.

6. An umbrella, 17:00 storms are no one’s friend.

Perdeby’s Daily Roundup Get your local and international news, entertainment and sport updates at perdeby.co.za.

Perdeby’s Daily Roundup will be published from 3 February.

Illustration: Modeste Goutondji

4

Meet your SRC TEBOGO TSHWANE

The SRC is responsible for the protection of student rights. It ensures the audibility of the student voice to the university council and offers a range of services to students such as assistance

News

18 January ‘14

with study finance, academic exclusion and accommodation. The SRC’s Study Aid Fund allows students to apply for textbooks if they cannot afford to buy their own.

The 2014 SRC was elected in October last year after elections were held on all of the university’s campuses.

An Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) ran the elections. Dr Willem Jorissen, deputy director of student affairs, was the IEC’s chief electoral officer.

Around 4 000 students voted in the SRC elections.

Deputy President Taymoon Mohammed-Altamash Role: As deputy president of the SRC, Mohammed-Altamash is tasked with ensuring the discipline and accountability of the executive members of the SRC. The deputy president has to make sure that there is cooperation within the executive and that the policies which are being adopted are efficient so as to better students’ lives.

Goals for 2014: 1. Enhance campus medical facilities.

2. Get more resources for disabled students.

3. Create positions on the SRC for students involved in NSFAS and LGBTI as well as for students with disabilities.

4. Establish a more inclusive and diverse Tuks devoid of racism and discrimination.

Secretary Monique du Randt Role: As the SRC secretary, Du Randt coordinates the day-to-day management of operations and activities of the SRC. She is also responsible for representing the SRC on various forums and university meetings as well as ensuring that the SRC has media representation. She communicates SRC decisions to the student body, organises mass meetings and publishes information related to mass meetings.

Goals for 2014: 1. Address racial profiling in terms of university admission, bursary awards and residence placement.

2. Protect student traditions and encourage the implementation of new traditions.

3. Fight for the preservation of Afrikaans mother tongue education at the university.

Executive members

President Enwee Human Role: As president of the SRC, Human is responsible for ensuring that all SRC members fulfill their duties. He performs the role of overseeing and supporting the SRC. He also has the responsibility of ensuring that the student voice is heard on the highest levels of management at the university.

Goals for 2014: 1. Create a sense of pride in students for their university.

2. Get all constitutional matters aligned and ready for the road towards 2025.

3. Ensure that the university listens to the student voice.

Portfolio members

Deputy Secretary James Lotter Role: As deputy secretary, Lotter assists in the administration of the SRC. This entails ensuring that the SRC is transparent by taking down accurate minutes during meetings and ensuring that the minutes are communicated to the public.

He also works closely with the president, deputy president, treasurer and secretary with issues regarding policy decisions.

Goals for 2014: 1. Establish an LGBTI and women and persons with disabilities officer on the SRC. 2. Establish a NSFAS position on the SRC. 3. Address the inefficiency and delays at Student Health Services.

4. Address the problem of student transport in terms of cost and free transport in more areas, as well as having the buses run for longer periods of time.

Treasurer Arno Burger Role: As SRC treasurer, Burger is responsible for overseeing the general finances within the SRC as well as fundraising, financial planning and financial reporting.

He acts as an information and reference point for the SRC president and other council members.

Goals for 2014: 1. Implement a financial e-system.

2. Increase transparency by releasing quarterly SRC financial statements online where students can view them.

3. Invest surplus funds into inflation related funds.

Facilities, safety and security: Kim Ngobeni Role: Ngobeni is responsible for issues regarding the use of facilities on campus. She is required to protect students by liaising with campus safety and security and by assisting them in matters relating to student safety and its promotion. She must assess the transportation system on campus and address concerns and requests from students regarding transport.

Goals for 2014: 1. Promote the extension of library hours as well as extend the book lending duration.

2. Fight for more doctors and qualified nurses at student clinics.

3. Expand and implement lower prices for students who use the Gautrain.

4. Fight for lower prices for students at the Kloostersaal.

News

5

18 January ‘14

Marketing, media and communications: Khutso Ntuli Role: Ntuli is responsible for handling the image and brand of the SRC, which includes the SRC uniforms.

He maintains the SRC website and promotes SRC activities and events on behalf of the SRC as well as interacts with the media after consultation with the SRC. Goals for 2014: 1. Create a prominent and more approachable SRC that will be accessible on all UP campuses.

2. Increase the familiarity of the SRC by mobilising the SRC members to engage with students on an interactive basis.

Postgraduate and International Students: Wilbri Vorster Role: Vorster is responsible for both postgraduate and international students. In terms of international students, this portfolio serves to assist these students with the application process, medical applications, housing, financial problems and other problems that they might encounter.

Goals for 2014: 1. Make the university accessible to people from countries that cannot accommodate them as students in their field of interest.

2. Engage with chairpersons of international student societies in an effort to help them by making resources available for them to host events.

3. Make the SRC more visible to international and postgraduate students.

Societies: Matshepo Tladi Role: Tladi is responsible for overseeing UP societies and attending to the needs and issues that arise in societies.

The main objective of this portfolio is to ensure the registration of societies in order for them to receive funding and other resources.

Goals for 2014: 1. Improve communication between the SRC and societies from external campuses.

2. Revise the legislation system to make it more relevant to all campuses.

3. Continue the fight for venues and office space.

Study finance: Amy Ashworth Role: Ashworth is responsible for assisting and facilitating students who do not have the financial resources to conduct their studies efficiently.

She acts as a channel between the finance department of the university and students, and ensures that the SRC Aid Fund meets students’ financial needs.

Goals for 2014: 1. Maintain the current progress the portfolio has made.

2. Increase the number of textbooks.

3. Increase the SRC Aid Fund for students in need.

Day students and external campus affairs: Marna de Jager Role: De Jager is responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring projects that will ensure that day students feel included in student life.

The portfolio makes provisions to address the concerns of students from the Mamelodi, Groenkloof, Prinshof and Onderstepoort campuses, and to include them in the activities of student life and governance.

Goals for 2014: 1. Work in cooperation with day houses and faculty houses to ensure that day students are included in student life.

2. Increase participation of external campuses in major events and projects which usually occur on Main campus.

Transformation and student success: Nthabiseng Nooe Role: Nooe is responsible for the needs of disabled students at the university, first generation students, students that are placed in private accommodation by the university, the university’s transformation agenda and the promotion of languages on campus.

Goals for 2014: 1. Encourage a paradigm shift to make ground level transformation a reality through dialogue sessions with different student structures (residences, societies, and day houses).

Photos: Brad Donald

6

One on one with the SRC president

SRC President Enwee Human. Photo provided HUMPHREY MOKOENA Tell us about yourself.

I am a very humble guy. I am a full-time student studying LLB Law and I’m doing my final year this year. I’m also a BCom Law graduate. I’m a big sport fan as well.

How do you feel about being the new SRC president?

It’s still sinking in. In our first meeting the guys seemed very excited, quite bright-eyed and had a lot of ideas for this year. So I am excited because they’re excited as well.

What legacy do you want to leave?

The biggest legacy that has been left at this university, according to me, is by Dr Anton Rupert. He was a Tukkie of the century. I want to leave a sense of pride in the university and wherever I go I will always be a Tukkie.

How was your experience as a first year?

I am a boytjie born and bred in Pretoria. It was a very big adjustment from matric to being a first-

News

18 January ‘14

year student. The university is big, believe me, this place is huge. Once I was walking around with my backpack and sandwiches that my mother had made for me and I walked around here not knowing where to go. I remember I asked this one girl where the Centenary Building is and she sent me all the way past the Aula. I was stupid enough to fall for that because I was a little bit naïve. So one learns a lot in first year.

Would you encourage new students to take part in organisations or societies on campus?

Of course. It’s a platform where you can meet a lot of new people. You will always learn more about yourself, other people and different cultures.

Looking back at your first year, what would you have done differently?

Nothing. In life you will always go through hard times, it’s always an emotional rollercoaster ride. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today if the things that happened to me didn’t happen.

I just think that everything that you do is a development of yourself in the end. Get yourself some goals and work towards those.

What has been your highlight of university so far?

There’s a lot. I had the opportunity to be the speaker of the student parliament. Also I was the deputy chairperson of the TSC (Temporary Student Comittee) and now being SRC president is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me.

Otherwise, being a student here. Through the years we’ve had our rugby team winning the Varsity Cup a few times beating the Maties.

I’d also like to think the fact that we are on our way to becoming one of the top 200 universities in the world is a highlight for me.

What advice would you give to first-year students?

It’s always a big thing when you get to university because you suddenly now have all this freedom that you didn’t have in high school. The right thing to do is to have a balanced life that allows you to do proper planning. Manage your time effectively so that you can have enough time to study and a social life as well.

Political organisations on campus MOLEBOGENG MANGOALE It is still your early days of being a first-year student at Tuks and you may have noticed some politcal groups around campus.

Perdeby has compiled a guide to political organisations if you consider joining one.

AfriForum Youth AfriForum Youth is a civil rights organisation that believes in the promotion of mother tongue education and the development of healthy student traditions. It is opposed to racial profiling and believes that admission to university should be based on academic merit.

Although it is not a political organisation, AfriForum Youth participates in the SRC elections.

According to Barend Taute, chairperson of AfriForum Youth at Tuks, the organisation is continuously committed to the protection of student and residence traditions.

Last year AfriForum Youth successfully campaigned to reduce Varsity Cup ticket prices.

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) The ANCYL is the national and non-racial democratic youth wing of the ANC. It aims to champion the interests of the youth and the UP wing aims to drive transformation at the university. It campaigns for better student services and a more efficient prioritisation of services.

The ANCYL at Tuks works with Sasco on the Right to Learn Campaign which has successfully increased access to the university and its services.

Mmuso Bookholane, the convener of the ANCYL at Tuks, said that the ANCYL encourages young people to analyse society objectively.

Cope@Tuks Cope@Tuks is the student faction of Cope.

Thabiso Padi, chairperson of Cope@Tuks, said that the organisation aims to foster an environment in which students feel that they can be assisted. He added that Cope@Tuks works together with the SRC in order to meet students’ needs.

Cope@Tuks was influential in implementing the transport system to Sunnyside and Arcadia and the SRC feeding scheme, and in extending library hours during examination times.

Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (Daso) Daso is the youth sector of the DA. Daso aims to create a more fair financial aid policy at UP and to make the university more inclusive and diverse. It is also committed to community engagement through charity projects in disadvantaged communities.

Daso was the driving force behind the night-bus service to Arcadia. Former SRC president Mthokozisi Nkosi, a member of Daso, created the Study Finance portfolio on the SRC that assists students experiencing financial difficulties.

Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma) Pasma is a socialist organisation that believes that people improve their social and economic positions through education. Pasma aims to forge a classless society in which everyone is equal. The organisation also believes in free education.

Pasma usually assists students in matters concerning accommodation, financial assistance, applications and academic exclusions.

The current chairperson of Pasma at Tuks, Andries Petsoane, says that their assistance is not confined to their members but instead to students in general. He also added that Pasma encourages students to be politically conscious regarding issues affecting them.

South African Students Congress (Sasco) Sasco is one of the biggest student political movements in Africa. The organisation aims for a non-racial and non-sexist learning environment and focuses on challenges faced by students from working class backgrounds.

In addition to the Right to Learn Campaign, Sasco assists students facing academic and financial exclusion. Sasco is also committed to helping prospective students get admission to the university.

Zandile Nkambule from Sasco said that their organisation will help students “grow politically as well as excel academically”.

Societies at Tuks BOIPELO BOIKHUTSO Student life is not only comprised of academics but social activities as well. Joining a society is one of the easiest ways to meet new people and make friends. Tuks has a number of societies that you can consider being a part of.

TuksRag TuksRag is a charity initiative run by students.

The 2013 chairperson Kiandiko Kasure said that TuksRag aims to encourage students to become involved in fundraising and community service projects.

Rag raises funds by hosting events such as the Rag procession and Spring Day. Rag also hosts the TuksRag Queen pageant.

This competition is held annually and is open to female students between the ages of 18 and 25. The participants, called debutantes, have to raise funds for charity as well as compete in the beauty competition.

Rag is also famous for its annual Pot `n Pons event. At Pot `n Pons residences and day houses compete with each other by cooking a potjie and making punch. Each residence has to set up a stall with their Rag partners decorated according to a chosen theme.

Stuku Stuku (Student Culture) was established in 1994. Stuku hosts Ienkmelodienk, a competition held every year during Orientation Week to welcome first years that are part of residences and day houses. It also hosts events such as Serrie and Serenade.

In 2013 Stuku held events such as Tuks Idols and Tuks Dance-Off to allow day students the opportunity to engage in student life activities.

According to the new chairperson of Stuku, Lohann Pretorius, Stuku promises this year to be “a year of great change and a challenge”.

The Inklings The university’s literary society The Inklings is one of the oldest societies on campus. The society started as a group called “The Holists” in 1982 when some students from the English department decided to write and perform a revue on the literary history from 1890 to 1914.

The society runs creative writing competitions and in 2013 it ran a 55-word short story competition. The Inklings also runs creative writing workshops and publishes a bilingual magazine called Inclinations.

According to chairperson Carole Godfrey the aim of The Inklings is to promote literature, language arts and culture on campus. She added, “We welcome all film or book addicts, whoever has an interest in reading, writing, acting or arts of any kind.”

Up and Out Up and Out is Tuks’s official LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) society.

The 2013 chairperson Nazo Tunzi said that it aims to “unite LGBTI people and provide information and campaigns that challenge and combat internalised homophobia and external homophobia”.

Psyche The Psyche society is targeted at psychology students. It was established in 2010 but officially launched in 2011. It provides psychology students with practical experience within some fields of psychology by presenting them with opportunities to volunteer at various organisations. The volunteer work takes place

Kollege and Magrietjie at Pot `n Pons 2013. Photo: Michael Mbaya from March to November.

Chairperson Byron Smit said that the society produces “a higher calibre of psychologists and provides additional support to the Department of Psychology”.

Penseed Poets Penseed Poets is a poetry organisation formed and grounded in Christianity. The society was established in 2008 and it was initially called “Poets of the Light”.

According to Kabelo Tlailane, one of the

founders of Penseed Poets, the society started with the idea of introducing an innovative and effective medium to reach out to people in an attempt to challenge and change perceptions and stereotypes.

Tlailane explained that the society’s name comes from the notion that a pen can be used to plant a seed through poetry.

News

7

18 January ‘14

Safety is a priority at UP

TARYN RICHMOND

Through a system of 24-hour surveillance cameras as well as security guards constantly patrolling and searching at the entrances, there is a feeling that someone is always watching students on campus. These systems ensure that students can focus on their studies without worrying about criminals looking to take advantage of them.

UP’s Department of Security Services’ mission is “to see more than others see, to see further than others see and to see first before others see.” The department strives to ensure that every student is provided with the necessary safety and security to study and participate in student activities freely and without fear.

The Green Route project on the Hatfield campus is one of many proactive initiatives that the Department of Security Services offers. It entails security officials escorting students on foot to their vehicles and residences between 18:00 and 06:00 seven days a week. Security guards are always available to escort students to their cars or residence. Students can meet security guards in front of the ATM next to the Merensky Library.

student, they are constantly re-evaluating what can be done to make Hatfield a safer area. They ask students to be vigilant and cautious.

After Orientation Week, students obtain their student cards which represent them individually.

The Department of Security Services says that these student cards are “your key to the campus” and they should be protected. If you lose your student card, report and replace it immediately at the CSC. The department has dealt with many cases where non-students have gained access to the UP campuses with lost or stolen student cards.

A security guard at Hatfield campus searches a vehicle. Photo: Eddie Mafa

As Hatfield is a highly condensed area where crime can and does happen, the Department of Security Services at UP works in close contact with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and a security forum with all security companies in the Brooklyn SAPS jurisdiction

to promote a safe environment, even outside the boundaries of the university’s campuses.

In 2013, UP Security Services successfully captured and followed through investigations of opportunist criminals preying on students.

Although the department has more than a few measures in place should something happen to a

Tips from UP Security Services: - Avoid isolated areas if you are alone.

- Pay special attention to your surroundings.

- Be vigilant of suspicious persons loitering in the immediate vicinity.

- Park in a busy, visible space and make sure to lock your doors.

- Keep your valuables on you at all times and don’t leave laptops unattended in the library.

- Use a U-lock if you own a bicycle and bring it onto campus. Security Services offers a service where they stamp your student number, free of charge, onto your bicycle which allows for the bicycle to be linked back to you.

Important numbers: 24-hour UP Crisis Service: Toll-free 0800 00 64 28

24-hour UP Operational Manager: 083 654 0476

24-hour UP Operational Centre: (012) 420 2310/2760

Know your campuses UP support services: unlocking student potential

The Old Arts Building through the years. Photos: Hendro van der Merwe FUMILAYO SOKO

Photo: Eddie Mafa KEEGAN FRANCES The first year of university can often be seen as an adventure filled with exciting new experiences, new relationships and great memories to be made. However, university life comes with its challenges.

UP provides support to students who are battling to cope academically or emotionally.

Faculty student advisors provide students with support with regard to the academic aspect of student life. Humanities student advisor Teballo Riba said that students should see student advisors “if [they have] got financial problems, study skill problems, problems with integrating or if [they] need career guidance”.

Lolo Mosia, School of Health Care Sciences student advisor, added that student advisors are always available to assist students in adjusting to campus life.

Student Support Services forms another valuable part of student assistance. Student Support is part of the Department of Student Affairs and is comprised of the Unit for Students with Special Needs, Student Health Services and Student Support.

Student Support consists of various types of academic support such as career choices and planning, aptitude and vocational tests, and reading skills and study methods. Students are

also assisted with problems regarding time management and stress.

Therapeutic and emotional support is offered to help students deal with relationship and emotional problems that tend to hamper academic success. Support is also available for developing important life skills such as self-esteem and temperament skills relating to conflict and communication, problem-solving and decision-making.

The general Support Unit is located in the Student Centre building across from Pie City near the Piazza.

A variety of services is offered by Student Health Services. This includes services such as primary healthcare, health education and promotion, and screening for chronic conditions and monitoring these conditions. Student Health Services consists of a reproductive clinic, which deals with matters of family planning and female health, and a doctors’ clinic which offers HIV/Aids testing and counselling. General health enquiries can also be made.

The Unit for Students with Special Needs offers services ranging from academic, emotional and technological support for students with physical disabilities as well as learning challenges.

All these services are free of charge and entirely confidential.

Since its establishment in 1908, UP has expanded from less than 100 students to over 55 000 in 2013. It has many campuses to accommodate these students. As a first-year student, here is what you need to know about UP’s campuses.

Hatfield campus UP’s Main campus houses six of the university’s nine faculties and its central administration offices. The campus spans over 24 hectares and has more than 60 buildings of historical value, such as the Old Arts Building.

The Old Arts Building accommodates the Mapungubwe Museum, a custodian of artefacts found at the Mapungubwe National Park which is a world heritage site. Other key sites on Hatfield campus include the Aula, the Amphitheatre, the chapel, the Merensky Library, the Student Centre and the Client Service Centre.

Sport campus The university maintains a long tradition of student participation in sport and recreation.

Also situated in Hatfield, the Sport campus is home to 30 registered sport clubs.

The Sport campus has a well-equipped gym which students can join. The Sport campus also has a school called TuksSport High School.

This independent school is supported by several sport federations and gives learners the opportunity to train and travel internationally.

Onderstepoort campus Onderstepoort, approximately 20km northwest of Main campus, is home to the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. The Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital provides clinical

services and is the only faculty in South Africa that educates veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

Groenkloof campus Located in the suburb of Groenkloof, this campus is home to students pursuing qualifications in education. In 2000, the Teachers Training College Pretoria was incorporated into the university’s Faculty of Education, which resulted in the faculty moving from the Hatfield campus to Groenkloof.

Mamelodi campus This campus became part of the UP in 2004 with the national government’s restructuring of South African tertiary institutions. Mamelodi campus hosts extended BSc programmes and functions as the university’s community engagement hub.

Prinshof campus Health Sciences is taught at Prinshof, and the campus adjoins the Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the Tshwane District Hospital.

The Steve Biko Academic Hospital is the main healthcare training facility of the university.

Sandton campus The university’s business school, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), is located in Sandton. GIBS offers academic programmes as well as a wide range of executive courses, which can be custom designed to suit specific company needs. GIBS Europe operates from London, where the school originates.

Satellite campuses The Witbank and Hammanskraal satellite campuses were established in 1988 and 1994 respectively and are used as additional practical facilities and experimental farms.

8

News

18 January ‘14

First years guide to residences MARISSA BRITS

Ienkmelodienk, sleep and blommetjiesvou are only a few of the residence traditions that you as an ienk (a first-year student) will be expected to take part in during your first year. Along with these are the sleepless nights that you’ll experience before the Rag and your selfless commitment to protect your res’s mascot. Here are the important things you need to know about each res as you embark on your year of “ienkdom”.

Men’s residences Boekenhout Location: Sport campus Colour: Blue Mascot: Eiffel Tower First years: Ysters Kiaat Location: Groenkloof campus Colour: Black and yellow Mascot: A tiger named Oats First years: Jarre Kollege Location: Sport campus Colour: Black and white Mascot: Sarge Bourke First years: Vremies Maroela Location: Sport campus Colour: Orange Mascot: A maroela fruit named Marools First years: Jarre Mopanie Location: Sport campus Colour: Light blue Mascot: A worm named El Torro First years: Peppies Olienhout Location: Sport campus Colour: Grey and red Mascot: A rhino named Rodney First years: Jarre

Huis Erika. Photo: Gloria Mbogoma Olympus Location: Prinshof campus Colour: Beige Mascot: A falcon named Mercury Sonop Location: Hatfield Uniform: Suits Mascot: Garibaldi Taaibos Location: Sport campus Colour: Red Mascot: A dog named Oupa Rokkit First years: Brakke Women’s residences Asterhof Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Light blue and white Mascot: A giraffe named Giraster First years: Sterretjies Curlitzia Location: Prinshof campus

Colour: Beige Mascot: A rooster named Colonel Gullus First years: Kloekies Erika Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Purple Mascot: A unicorn Inca Location: Groenkloof campus Colour: Light blue Mascot: A ladybug named Libby First years: Ladies Jasmyn Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Red Mascot: An elephant named Nymsaj First years: Slurpies Katjiepiering Location: Sport campus Colour: Maroon Mascot: A cat named Ogies

First years: Skerwe Klaradyn Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Yellow Mascot: A lion named Oom Cleo First years: Welpies Lilium Location: Groenkloof campus Colour: Turquoise Mascot: A gecko named Apatili First years: Geitjies Madelief Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Green Mascot: A cat named Charisma First years: Knolle Magrietjie Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Pink Mascot: A lady named Maer Grietjie First years: Spikkels Nerina Location: Hatfield campus Colour: Blue Mascot: A harlequin named Nika First years: Spriete Zinnia Location: Groenkloof campus Colour: Orange Mascot: A fairy named Tink First years: Pixies Mixed residences Onderstepoort Location: Onderstepoort campus Mascot: A goat named Flehmen Tuks Naledi Location: Mamelodi campus Colour: Beige Mascot: A star First years: Speckles

Know your residence traditions

Curlitzia performing at Ienkmelodienk 2013. Photo: Eleanor Harding MARISSA BRITS Ienkmelodienk This is a concert held only by first years in which all the residences compete. This concert usually has a theme, but not a storyline. The music is compiled by the first years themselves.

2013 winners: Olienhout and Curlitzia Kaskar Kaskar is a proud Tukkie tradition in which residences compete to see who can make the most laps in a kaskar in a specific time. The residences form teams of three with one team member sitting in the kaskar while the other two push him around the track.

2013 winners: Olienhout and Klaradyn Pot `n Pons Pot `n Pons marks the beginning of a Rag partnership. Residences set up stalls where they are judged on the atmosphere of the stall and on

the punch and potjie that they serve.

2013 winners: Olienhout and Madelief Serenade Serenade is a singing competition between the residences that usually takes place in August.

The residences sing and dance without using any musical band. Serenade is open to all house members. The winning residences proceed to a national competition where they compete against other universities. In 2013 Sonop was crowned the national Serenade winners.

2013 winners: Sonop and Curlitzia Serrie This is a performance that includes dancing and singing. It is a competition between all of Tuks’s official residences and day houses.

It is not restricted to first years and the entire residence can participate. Each residence and day house chooses its own theme, selects songs and choreographs moves accordingly. The

Taaibos during their 2013 Serrie performance. Photo: Reinhard Nell residences usually have their own bands.

2013 winners: Taaibos and Erika Rag Preparations for Rag start during Orientation Week during which first years fold “flowers” to create a themed float. The Rag event is usually held in early February and aims to raise money for charity.

2013 winners: Klaradyn and Mopanie Other important residence terminology Ienk A first-year student.

Semi A second-year student.

Senior A residence member in third year or higher.

Daily A student not living in a residence.

Sleep

The tradition of being serenaded and then escorted to a specific location by another residence.

Blommetjiesvou The process of placing small balls of polystyrene into plastic wrappers to use on the Rag float.

Prim The shortening of the word Primaria, the head of a women’s residence.

Square An affectionate way of referring to Hatfield Square, which is where all the drinking happens.

Ontheffing The process of becoming a full residence member and no longer being an ienk.

HK The term used to refer to the House Committee.

Advertisement

9

18 January ‘14

AMBROS/D35568/REG14

Edu-Loan (Pty) Ltd is a registered credit provider (NCRCP 158) Co. Reg. 1996/003961/07

Eduloan can bring your vision to life.

• SA’s only privately owned educational specialist providing affordable loans for all levels of study

Apply for one of SA’s most affordable study loans now!*

• Loans are all inclusive to cover everything from tuition to tablets to textbooks • Affordable, fixed repayments • No deposit or hidden costs • No admin - we pay directly to the institution APPLY TODAY!

Follow us on:

/EduloanSA

/EduloanSA

/EduloanSA

CALL 0860 55 55 44 or VISIT www.eduloan.co.za or SMS ‘Reg’ to 32150 and we’ll call you. *Available at selected leading educational institutions countrywide. Terms and conditions apply.

For additional information on initiation fees and pricing contact one of our consultants.

D35568 Reg2014_All_390x265_FA1.indd 1

2013/11/29 11:31 AM

10

18 January ‘14

Features

Balancing the scales of work and pleasure ORENEILE TSHETLO Seasons come and go. As a university student you will experience two seasons: one for chilling and one for studying hard. Many students don’t know when it’s time for one season to end and another to begin. They usually struggle to find a balance between their studies and their social life, often tilting in favour of the partying and relaxing side.

Many people say that a student is presented with three possibilities: achieving high marks, having an active social life, and getting enough sleep. The catch is, you can only choose two of these.

According to Australian health organisation Accoras, it is both possible and necessary to lead a balanced lifestyle as an unbalanced one poses health risks. On its website, the organisation says that, “When life becomes unbalanced, people may experience mood swings, sleeplessness, stress or become anxious and worried.”

Former Klaradyn Academics HK Adè van Heerden says that to cope with university life, “One needs to get into the habit of getting things done in the little time [one has]. Be productive, work hard and play hard. If you are disciplined you will have more time to live freely,” she added.

On the other hand, personal development blogger Myrko Thum is of the opinion that to have balance in life entails embracing the element of spontaneity. Thum’s theory draws from research conducted by experts. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, researchers from the Yale School of Medicine found that young adults tend to be more daring and spontaneous because they are “accepting of consequences that are unknown, not because they are actually drawn toward risky situations”.

According to Dr Michael Ungar, a social

Illustration: Simon-Kai Garvie Illustration: Simon-Kai Garvie worker, family therapist and professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, this

may not be such a bad thing. Dr Ungar places emphasis on the importance of taking risks.

He says that, “To grow, we need to experience challenges,” and that “by bubble-wrapping our lives, we may inadvertently be taking away opportunities to experience the building blocks of psychosocial growth – which may be the biggest risk of all.”

Clinical psychologist Dr Laura Markham, however, associates risk-taking with rebellion and says that children are deprived “of the opportunity to internalise self-discipline and responsibility” because of certain parentchild relationships. Dr Markham believes that children of parents who have kept a tight leash on them tend to be rebellious and lack discipline once their parents have loosened their grip.

Balance also includes an emotional component. According to neuropsychiatrist Dr Mona Lisa Schulz, author of The New Feminine Brain: How Women Can Develop Their Inner Strengths, Genius, and Intuition, suppressing destructive emotions such as anger, grief or sadness causes an unhealthy imbalance as “balance is not about remaining placid and peaceful.”

In a Psychology Today article, Dr Alex Lickerman suggests that in order to achieve equilibrium you need to observe your “inner life state”, establish what is important and set boundaries. Dr Lickerman also warns against multitasking as he believes that it impairs the ability to recall certain things in the future, increases the risk of poor performance and prevents you from enjoying what you are doing.

Business mogul and creator of The Apprentice, Donald Trump, is of the belief that “If you’re interested in ‘balancing’ work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.” Although this billionaire seems to believe that life should be centred around your work, we all know that work and pleasure should go hand in hand.

Know your UP logo MARKO SVICEVIC Whether it’s an application form for enrolment as a first-year student or one to complete your honours degree, almost every UP official document you receive will brandish its official logo.

The logo, more formally referred to as the coat of arms, is made up of several elements.

The logo was officially registered on 28 April 1978 with the Bureau of Heraldry. It was drawn up as an initiative by the SRC for the university’s acquisition of independence.

The Transvaal University College (TUC) became an independent institution under the name Pretoria University, which was officially established on 10 October 1930. According to a senate meeting dated 19 March of that year, seven professors were appointed to a committee tasked with drawing up a coat of arms for the university. In a senate meeting dated 11 May, recommendations were given regarding the design of the logo. The head of Pallas Athene, previously featured in the TUC coat of arms, was rejected as the logo and instead five other recommendations were given. Among the suggestions were three annulets on a field, an ox wagon, a book and an anchor on the crest. On 11 June, the rector reported that the final design of the logo was approved by the senate, paving the way for a new image for the university.

Currently, the logo consists of a crest containing an open book on an anchor, a shield and the Latin motto Ad destinatum persequor.

The shield is divided into three parts which contain three bees, three annulets and an ox wagon.

According to an article published on ReoCities.com, the logo symbolises the Voortrekkers and the states that they

founded, especially with regards to the ZuidAfrikaansche Republiek (ZAR).

The ox wagon is the main symbol of the Voortrekkers and is also referred to as a kakebeenwa, which directly translates to “jaw wagon”. According to ReoCities.com, the logo contains an error as the ox wagon represented on the logo is that of a half-tented wagon, whereas the ox wagons used by the Voortrekkers were full-tented. The mistake apparently came from the image of an ox wagon on the seal of the Transvaal Colony. The mistake was then repeated onto the arms of the Transvaal Province and finally reflected onto the logo of the university, which at the time was still the TUC. The top right of the shield contains three annulets or circles. The annulets represent unity.

These symbols were also present on Jan van Riebeeck’s family’s coat of arms, showing that UP’s logo contains elements which span over several generations. Van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in April 1652 and was an administrator of the Dutch East India Company.

The annulets, which are placed on a red background, also correspond with the anchor on the crest. The anchor appears on the coat of arms of the Cape Colony which was established in 1652 by Van Riebeeck himself.

The top left of the shield contains three bees on a red background. The design comes directly from the crest of the city of Pretoria. The bees symbolise activity and efficiency as well as the sweet fruits of labour. This has perhaps a more literal meaning, considering the large number of Jacaranda trees that bloom in spring (a spectacular feature of Pretoria) which attract a large number of the honey-producing insects.

The crest is taken directly from the old TUC coat of arms. The book placed on top

Photo: Kaira Lourens of the crest is probably one of the simpler representations of the university as it symbolises learning.

The motto, “With zeal and perseverance I strive towards the goal”, translated from the Latin phrase Ad Destinatum persequor, is also sometimes shortened to “Pursuing towards destiny” and is at the bottom of the logo.

Originally there were three options for the motto. The other two read Accipe daque fide translated to “receive and give loyalty” and Non sibi sed patriae humanitatiqu translated to “not

for oneself but for one’s country and humanity”.

The logo’s official colours are red, gold and blue, although there have been several variations over the years.

The imagery and elements of the UP logo represent both a university with more than 100 years of tradition and a country more than 400 years in the making, emphasising continuity and the prosperity of both the institution and the land it was built on. So the next time you gaze at your university’s logo, keep in mind that there is always more than meets the eye.

Features

18 January ‘14

11

The student catalogue JOANÉ OLIVIER University is a place where students go to form lifelong memories, build friendships, party, make mistakes, grow academically and find themselves. It is a place where you can reinvent and express yourself without worrying too much about being judged or bullied by others.

The people you meet at university can have a large influence on your life. Perdeby has compiled a directory of the types of people you can expect to meet at Tuks to help you navigate your way around the social circles on campus.

Hipsters Hipsters can be found almost anywhere on campus. Look for knitted hats, skinny jeans, oversized glasses and scarves. Hipsters often alternate between plaid shirts, cardigans and ironic T-shirts (called ironic because they sport images that are generally seen as “uncool”, yet which hipsters think are cool). Hipsters share a love for all things vintage and music that is often obscure. They hate labels and try to avoid them. This includes being called a hipster so for your own safety, refrain from doing that.

Ironically, in an effort to separate themselves from social norms and to be unique, hipsters have formed a group of people not-so-unique from one another.

Never try to approach a hipster without the following: the hipster uniform, a 30-second speech about what makes you unique, the name and album of a band or artist that no one has heard of and a backed up argument of why you feel negatively towards people who conform to the expectations of society.

Jocks You can find them in the gym, on the Sport campus and around main campus. They usually wear tank tops, shorts, flip-flops or some kind of sportswear. One trend among male jocks is tight pastel shorts combined with sunglasses (covering their eyes, on top of their heads or hooked into their shirts). He wants to be seen as “the man” and is often spotted with a protein shake in hand.

Jocks like to surround themselves with beautiful girls. These girls are often petite which helps to create the illusion that the jock has big biceps.

Jocks’ social networking pages are often flooded with quotes about health and fitness and they usually have a lot of friends. They favour words like “awe” and “bro”. You can learn their language by searching “Jozi Shore” on Youtube.

It will give you a clear view of the jock culture in South Africa.

Photo: Tahnee Otto When approaching jocks compliment them on their athletic ability and ask about their training programmes in an effort to start up a possible friendship. Jocks love giving advice on fitness, so don’t be afraid to ask for tips on improving your own physique.

Bibliophiles If they are not in class, these students can be found in the library. Bibliophiles are serious about reading. They know their way around the library and are not intimidated by the endless stacks of books and call numbers.

Having a bibliophile as a friend can benefit you largely during your time at Tuks, but to get a bibliophile’s help you need to gain their trust first. When approaching a bibliophile, ask them about the book that they are reading or ask them for their help finding something in the library. Be warned, befriending a bibliophile is not a gateway to scoring class notes or help with projects. They are usually only willing to help those who try on their own and take responsibility for their own success.

Engineers Engineering students are an entirely different species of student. You will usually find them at Steers and around the Aula grass, but during Engineering Week they perform a group disappearing act.

Engineering students will often be seen studying or working out a maths equation in the food court or in their natural habitat around the engineering buildings. In their free time, most engineering students enjoy gaming and making BA jokes.

Before befriending an Engineering student, google “building logical arguments for dummies”. Compliment them on their

intelligence and you should be able to join the herd safely.

Princesses Seen as some of the most beautiful girls on campus, princesses usually travel in packs.

They wear the newest make-up and fashion trends, and their morning hair routine takes over thirty minutes. Princesses usually have amazing wardrobes and live by the belief that you should always be camera-ready.

A princess can be spotted at the gym looking cute with an immaculate hairstyle, even after a workout, trying to attract attention from the guys near the weights section. Princesses’ Facebook pages are commonly filled with selfies and group photos with their BFFs. Making your way into a princess pack can be hard. Princesses need their friends’ approval and you won’t get into their group unless you have everyone’s trust. Start by complimenting their clothes, accessories, natural beauty and makeup and make sure you dress the part yourself.

Established students Established students either have jobs, spouses, kids or all of the above. They have more responsibilities than the average student and usually work harder than they do too.

Established students are multistasking superheroes and study in between class, household chores and taking care of spouses or children.

When talking to an established student tell them how much you admire their ability to study and manage their household. They work hard and can often feel unappreciated and getting some recognition will add a bit of sunshine to their busy days.

Philosophers Not limited to philosophy students, there are some Tuks students who take thinking to another level. They have a large vocabulary consisting of words that most other people have to look up in the dictionary to understand.

A popular phrase among philosophers is “These people don’t know anything about the world.” Philosophers are often cynical and pessimistic about society and are never afraid to express their opinions and arguments regarding life.

They generally have a smaller group of friends as they find it hard to take a liking to others. Tread cautiously because this is a difficult individual to befriend. If you want to be friends with a philosopher you need to form your own opinions on life. Ask them for their opinions on specific subjects. They will gladly give you a well-tructured argument and will admire a person with an open mind who is willing to listen.

Fomos With their “fear of missing out”, Fomos never miss an opportunity to party. They go out nearly every night and during the day can be spotted at Oom Gert’s. As the semester progresses the amount of Fomos who attend class decreases.

Mornings and afternoons are spent recovering from a hangover and preparing for the night’s adventures at Aandklas.

A Fomo’s best friend is alcohol and they often suffer from separation anxiety when spending a day or more apart from it. One of the best cures for this condition is a beer, or five.

Becoming friends with a Fomo is a relatively easy task. Invite them to a party and buy a round of beers. Warning: only befriend a Fomo if you can keep up with the partying and hangovers.

Activists You will find them handing out flyers, selling cupcakes for charity or painting something on the wall near the Chancellor’s Building to raise awareness for a certain cause.

Activists strive to do their part in making the world a better place and they support different societies. Political student activists use their time at university to kickstart a career in politics and to help improve the university. An activist will gladly welcome anyone who is passionate about the same causes as they are, so volunteer to help out with different causes and societies.

Take caution when approaching a certain group and always gear yourself with the appropriate accessories, be it a dictionary or a protein shake. With the right weapons, the social battlefield can be conquered with ease.

Your first year drinking guide MARKO SVICEVIC So you find yourself at Dropzone on a Thursday night having a good time with your friends. You leave your drink at your table to head to the dance floor. After a quick dancing session you return to your table and finish your drink.

Before you know it you start to feel dizzy, nauseous and you cannot speak properly. The night starts to become a blur and in the end you are on the club’s floor, passed out in a bathroom or perhaps even in a 24/7 McDonald’s booth.

This is an all too common occurrence among students, particularly first years. You will never go out as much in your life as when you are a student. It is essential that when you go out that you know the dos and don’ts of clubbing and alcohol use.

The buddy system Remember that system you were taught in primary school? When going on a field trip you always had to have your buddy with you. That rule still applies. When you decide to go out, never go alone. It is always good to take friends with, not just for fun but for safety purposes as well.

Going out alone may make you vulnerable to both drink-spiking and mugging. The odds of someone taking on a larger group are much lower. When you leave to go home or to a new drinking destination, never leave anyone behind. If you go to Hatfield Square with five people, make sure to leave with those same five people.

Leave no drink behind You should be just as vigilant about your drink as you are about your friends. Leaving your drink unattended is one of the most dangerous things you could do. By leaving your drink unattended you expose yourself to people who may either innocently have a sip of your drink or, not so innoncently, spike it. Whenever you have a drink, always finish it before going anywhere else, or take it along with you.

Be suspicious of everyone Keep in mind that not all people have good intentions. When going out always be wary of the people surrounding you. Invitations to any place from anyone that you do not know are suspicious. When a strange man offers you some hubbly in his car two blocks away, say no and go back to your friends.

Photo: Oan de Waal One beer: good. One beer, two shots of vodka, a shot of tequila and some Stroh Rum: not good.

It would be wise to never mix alcoholic drinks (you’ll thank yourself in the morning for this).

If you’re going to drink vodka, stick to vodka.

If you’re going to drink beer, stick to beer. It’s a logical decision.

Perhaps it would also be wise to stick to the bartender’s suggestions as your best friend’s taste in shots is not necessarily as wise.

One beer is never just one beer

This little ploy will always fool you. When you go out for just one beer, chances are you’ll end up having several. Never go out with the intention of having just one beer. It’s unlikely that this will happen, and you don’t want to disappoint yourself.

The next Thursday evening you go out, keep the above-mentioned information in mind. In fact, keep this article pinned onto your fridge.

This way you can always refer back to it and if you regret the night before, let it be a sobering reminder of what not to do next time.

12

18 January ‘14

Features

Start off on the right foot

BEN JOOSTE

You take your first step into your new life.

Sounds, smells and colours are more vivid than they used to be. You say goodbye to your parents, and you are a little embarrassed that your mom is crying. Your dad shares a long, knowing look with you. It’s time.

With your last year of high school still fresh in your memory you embark upon a new and exciting journey. The opportunities stretch out before you as you stroll around campus, feeling independent and trying not to be daunted by the extensive grounds and the prospect of getting lost.

In this edition of Perdeby you’ll find many insightful tips on how the cogs of university function. It’s best to pay attention because it may save your skin a few times.

Orientation Week If you’re worried about what exactly you’re supposed to do and where to go during the first few days at university or can’t find your specific group on the orientation programme that was issued to you, don’t stress too much about it because this isn’t the first time that the university is taking on first-year students. Go to the Client Service Centre, easily recognisable by the fact that it’s on the ground floor of the tallest building on campus (the Humanities Building). Someone there will help you.

If you’re in a residence, your House Committee or Cabinet will take good care of you during Orientation Week. If you’re not in a residence, don’t hesitate to join a day house.

Besides helping you around campus, they help you meet tons of people through their social events.

When it’s time to register for your course, make sure that you have everything you need and get in the queue as early as possible.

Different departments have their registration at different venues, so make sure you go to the correct one.

The textbook phase The shop Bookmark on campus is a great

Illustration: Simon-Kai Garvie way of finding out exactly what textbooks are needed for your course. Simply go to the information desk and give them your student number. When it comes to buying books, shop around until you find the best deals. The sooner you do this, the better. Buy every textbook because you will use it, unless you have a trustworthy friend who will lend you theirs.

Also be on the lookout for textbooks that you can buy electronically for your tablet or laptop.

It proves to be more convenient than slogging around enough books to make you fall over if you aren’t balanced.

ClickUP You may not know it, but ClickUP is your new best friend. It’s something that you’ll be using almost every day. It’ll help if you get accustomed to using it as soon as you can.

While you’re there, familiarise yourself with the portal as well which you can find on Tuks’s main webpage. You’ll find announcements, marks, and exam timetables on ClickUP and the Student Centre link. If you can’t organise your own internet connection, you can use the IT Open Labs on Hatfield campus or at the campus library.

Security As you start your new life, it’s important to stay safe in Pretoria. The university vibe can lull you into a false sense of security, but you need to stay vigilant. There are Green Routes available on campus between 18:00 and 06:00 where security guards will escort you to your vehicle or residence. Keep the emergency Crisis Service and other important numbers on your phone.

The Crisis Service line is open 24/7 and can be reached on 080 000 6428.

A campus full of couples: romance at Tuks

BEN JOOSTE

At the opening ceremony for first years you may hear Vice-Chancellor Prof. Cheryl de la Rey talk about the possibility of meeting your significant other right here at Tuks. Whether you rolled your eyes at the idea or eagerly anticipated it, you’re still going to meet a lot of people during your time at university – and one of them may just end up being of great importance to you.

Everyone has different views on dating: some people couldn’t be bothered, while others see it as an important part of life, youth and growth.

Some enjoy having relationships that are more than a friendship, while others prioritise things like academics above dating.

Cassandra Moodley, a medical sciences student, says, “I felt that dating, particularly in first year, was not on the cards for me. With anything in life though, what we plan and what actually happens are two different things and now I’m really happy in my relationship.”

If you’re already in a relationship and your significant other is not at Tuks you can still make it work, but it won’t be easy. Caleb Linden, a multimedia student, says, “My girlfriend and I have been in a long distance relationship for a year now, and we are still going strong. It’s hard, but [it] definitely can work. It also strengthens the bond that goes beyond physical attraction between you and your partner.”

Hannah Ryan, an education student, feels differently. “I’m not for relationships that are brought from high school into the beginning of

first year. [University is] a completely different world from high school and people change as they grow. A relationship can somewhat hold you back from getting the true experience of first year, depending on the type of partner you have. I started dating closer to the end of the year and I am completely happy in my relationship – more than I would have been if the relationship had started earlier in the year,” says Ryan.

If you do end up dating it’s important to know a few things. People generally disapprove of public displays of affection (PDAs), but other people’s opinions should not necessarily dictate your relationship. If you have an hour or two off between classes, head to the botanical gardens behind the Informatorium for a romantic escape.

There are other secluded places as well (such as behind the Agricultural Sciences Building), but exploring is fun, so have a look around and find the best spots.

If you’re looking for a place to kuier then Oom Gert’s should be at the top of your list.

If it’s an anniversary (or the beginning of the month) and you feel like doing something a bit more fancy, go to Burgundy’s or Adlers.

One of the great things about relationships is that they can be made more vibrant with the smallest of gestures. If you’re a guy, surprise your girlfriend with flowers or hide affectionate notes in easy-to-find places, like her handbag.

If she has been through a rough week, making a tiny bundle of her favourite chocolates could cheer her up immensely. Anyone will tell you that handmade gifts have more meaning and are more special than items that are simply

Photo: Tahnee Otto bought, so don’t hesitate to make your own anniversary or birthday cards – even if you’re not particularly creative.

If your significant other has a 07:30 class and you know it’s a difficult one to get to, surprise them at the entrance with coffee or tea.

Exams can be stressful and can place strain on a relationship. The best gift during exams may be multivitamins to stay healthy or an energy drink to make a late-night studying session more bearable.

If you feel like being old-fashioned, send a letter once in a while – a real letter with a stamp and envelope sent to a real post box. It’s hardly

done anymore and shows you don’t mind going to that extra bit of trouble to do something special.

It is still important to remember that it won’t all be smooth sailing. It is important to be supportive of your partner. Encourage one another in academics and make sure you’re there for each other, even if they’ve just had an off day. It means a lot to have someone rooting for you.

Most importantly, make the most of first year.

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, it’s the best year of them all.

Features

13

18 January ‘14

You snooze, you lose?

ORENEILE TSHETLO

It’s the day of your big test and although you can feel the test time approaching fast you hit the snooze button, pull the covers over your head and doze off for a few minutes. Suddenly you wake up in a panic to discover that your five-minute nap has turned into a five-hour coma and you’ve lost your revision time.

At this point you are in a state of utter despair. Don’t panic too much, according to scientists, sleeping more can help you study more effectively.

Dr Harvey Simon, editor of Harvard Health, a journal published by Harvard Medical School, says that, “Dreaming may reactivate and reorganize recently learned material which would help improve memory and boost performance.” Dr Simon explains that there is a strong correlation between sleeping and the ability to learn. He says that when you are sleeping, “the brain is hard at work, processing the events of the day. It sorts and files, makes connections, and even solves problems.” For this reason he encourages napping but warns that it “won’t make you smart or assure success, but that it can help improve your memory and solve problems”.

Brett and Kate McKay, authors of The Art of Manliness, attribute their academic success to napping. They say that, contrary to popular belief, napping is not “for the lazy and unambitious”. The McKays suggest taking a 90-minute nap before writing a test.

According to Dr Carol Malunga, principal medical officer at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, although dozing off for brief periods of time during the day is important, more emphasis should be placed on the importance of sleeping long and well enough during the night.

Based on research done by America’s National Sleep Foundation, an adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a day – this amounts to an average of about 649 401 hours of a person’s lifetime. Going without sleep for a long period of time can lead to hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration lapses. Lack of sleep also causes fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, a shortened concentration span, increased stress, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure and depression.

Photo: Reinhard Nell Women who do not get enough sleep are prone to weight gain.

Dr Malunga says that women who suffer from sleep deprivation are more likely to experience urinary problems. She adds that some cases of breast and colon cancer can be attributed to a lack of sleep.

According to BBC News, maintaining wakefulness for longer than 17 hours leads to a decrease in mental and physical performance in both men and women, which has the same effects as consuming two glasses of wine.

HealthCommunities.com suggests that sleeping disorders can lead to depression. According to the website, approximately 80% of people who suffer from depression also suffer from insomnia and onset insomnia. The website explains that, “Sleep disorders are twice as likely to cause depression and vice versa.” In some

cases, however, depression can lead to an individual sleeping more than normal. This has a negative effect as too much sleep disrupts the function of insulin in the body and may lead to an increased risk of diabetes later on in life.

Dr Malunga explains that lack of sleep can also have a negative effect on a person’s emotional well-being. “You can have labile emotions. [A sleep deprived person will be] easily angered and agitated, leading to disruption of relationships,” she says.

When exams creep your way and are ready to pounce, remember that studying should not be something that you lose sleep over. Instead of pulling an all-nighter, can the Red Bull, keep calm and sleep on it, but remember to get enough studying done first.

MidCity: The Edge_ Student Living MidCity is proud to launch The Edge_ Student Living, living spaces designed for students to create the ultimate balance between work and play. Our new fully furnished and serviced concept combined with our unique layout, will change the standard of student housing forever.

MidCity presents four new properties: • Tuks Campus House_ Reitz Street, Sunnyside 96 beds (Fully let) • Campus Edge_ Verdoorn Street, Sunnyside 201 beds (Available 2014) • Flower’s Edge_ Capital Park/ Steve Biko Academic Hospital 170 beds (Coming soon) • Festival’s Edge_ Festival Street, Hatfield 354 beds (Coming soon)

See more at www.midcity.co.za

THE EDGE_ STUDENT LIVING

MidCity has done their research and created an environment that is modern and technically advanced to meet the requirements of the new age student. The buildings are safe and secure allowing you to focus on making a success of your life.

All buildings have unique exterior designs to fit in with the neighbourhood but inside you will experience the same high quality features that you will start to associate with Edge_ living.

Holistic Property Solutions AVAILABLITY / PRICING EMAIL: annette.branders@midcity.co.za PHONE: 012 426 3400

14

18 January ‘14

Student life at Tuks

Photo: Eddie Mafa

Photo: Eddie Mafa

Photo: Michael Mbaya

Photo: Michael Mbaya

Photo: Michael Mbaya

Photo: Michael Mbaya

Photo essay

Photo essay

18 January ‘14

Photo: Eddie Mafa

Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse

Photo: Michael Mbaya

Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse

Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse

Photo:Eddie Mafa

15

16

18 January ‘14

Entertainment

Finding your platform to perform

Photo: Reinhard Nell MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN While you may have been the star in your home town, getting others to notice your creative talent in an unfamiliar city is not easy. As lucky breaks are rare, getting your work out there requires a lot of time, effort and connections.

Perdeby spoke to two local performance artists about where to meet the right people, how to get a gig and how to find your footing in the industry.

By now the December Streets have been playlisted on national radio and have performed at a number of South Africa’s biggest music festivals. You may not know this but the band was born right here at Tuks.

Starting off with just Tristan Coetzee and Gideon Meyer, the band has accumulated invaluable knowledge as they’ve grown.

The first thing you need to have is business sense, they say. Understanding how the local music industry works, as well as who will help you and who to avoid, will ensure that you don’t lose all your precious time and money.

“Everyone thinks it’s just glamour but you have to know what you’re doing or you will get screwed over. We’ve got screwed over by managers and this and that. People promise you the world and you get there and they break your heart,” said Coetzee. That doesn’t mean that everyone is out to get you though. “We’ve been recording with the same guy now for probably about seven or eight years just because we met him through another crappy guy. You must just test the waters,” said Meyer.

Knowing the industry also means knowing how to promote yourself. With the abundance of social media available, having your own website, Facebook page and Soundcloud account is the way forward.

Having a unique sound is what makes you stand out and is what makes others want to listen to you. “Don’t limit yourself to being underground. What worked for us is we made music that we liked playing. It’s fun to get onto stage and listen to our own music,” said Coetzee. If you enjoy your own music, the chances are that someone else will too. “You have to find something that people can easily

Photo: Ett Venter catch onto,” added Meyer. Your sound also depends on your band members. “The people that you play with or jam with, it’s important that you have a bond. You must be friends or else it’s not going to work. It could, but then you form an orchestra,” said Coetzee.

If you’re looking for band members, Meyer and Coetzee suggest joining Serenade or trawling Gumtree.

Being a musician is not always about what you know but who you know. Having connections that can get you a gig or a decent recording studio will always give you the upper hand. “People don’t realise how easy it is to meet the right kind of person,” said Coetzee. The best way is to have a hobby such as photography to get you in the door or just helping out as a stagehand at festivals. Coetzee says the next step is “To be open and walk up to people and say ‘Hey! This is me, this is what I do, can I send you a demo?’”

Another worthwhile option, according to Coetzee, is Tuks FM. “I went to work for Tuks FM in first year with the idea to get our song on the radio. That’s where the most opportunities are. You meet a lot of people in the music industry. I worked in the playlisting department and eventually I became friends with them.”

Don’t just make friends with those in the music field though. “Any creative field can help you on your way. Make friends in graphic design or information design – you’re going to need a music video or cool photo somewhere. Even if you have a fashion design friend, it helps,” explained Meyer.

Getting your first gig can be really difficult.

It’s risky for a venue to feature a new band as they very often don’t draw a big enough crowd to cover costs. There are some things to try before you give up though. “For shows, so many times we’ve walked up to bars and said ‘We’ll pay you! Let us play, please?’ You’ve got to really haul yourself out to places like, give them beers, tell them you’ll bring 50 friends to their venue and make sure: go to your friends and round up a rent-a-crowd,” said Coetzee.

Having a well-recorded demo is also a necessity as this will give venues a clear idea about whether your sound will be popular with

their patrons. Meyer also suggests trying venues that are known for taking on small bands first, such as Café Barcelona.

If you still can’t get a gig, organise your own show in someone’s back garden. “One of our first shows as December Streets was in his [Tristan’s] garden. We just invited people over, set our amps up, gave out free stuff and tequila shots,” said Meyer, adding that they welcome small bands asking to open for their future shows.

If music isn’t your thing, perhaps words are.

Kurt Schröder, co-founder of the former poetry movement Spoken Sessions and the recently launched Poetry 012 group, was without a stage to perform on just under two years ago.

To him, having your voice heard is as easy as standing up in a public area and performing.

“Yesterday I performed a piece at a coffee shop for no reason. That’s why I love poetry because it doesn’t just stay here. I don’t just have to link people to a blog. It’s like, ‘Oh, there’s 100 of you? This is cool,’” said Schröder.

Although there are a limited number of poetry platforms, there are a few groups that welcome new poets. No Camp Chairs is a poetry group that hosts an event once a month to offer new poets a platform to showcase their work. The Penseed Poets, a popular group on campus, also hosts regular events. UP Arts hosts an annual poetry slam. Further afield is World and Sound, a Johannesburg-based movement setting the benchmark for poetry and performance.

Part of being successful as a poet is knowing what to write about. Although poetry is often a natural thing, Schröder feels that audiences at the moment are “looking for people who have an opinion. I think there is a trend among a lot of spoken-word poets and young poets to be really depressing and I say that with all due respect, knowing that I have some of the most depressing poems out there. There’s nothing wrong with being sad but let’s celebrate. I think audiences are looking for something lighter, something more perhaps jovial, perhaps satirical but also there is still definitely a strong demand for those people who are just there because they want their intellect to be challenged and they want to hear something incredibly profound but

in a beautiful way.”

Using digital media is fast becoming a strong tool for sharing your work with others. UJ FM hosts a poetry hour every Sunday morning that invites artists to perform live.

You can also have your performances filmed professionally. These can reach audiences that aren’t able to physically see your recital, especially corporates “It’s an exciting dynamic: to have spoken word but to see the artist themselves, not just to have a piece of paper that you read,” said Schröder. “The essence of my poetry is in its performance and if there are people very far away from a performance space where I’m performing that want to experience my poem, it has to be in audio and visual. I think that’s the way forward,” he added.

Getting your own digital CV of your art is now a possibility. Sound engineer Simon Strehler recently opened up South Africa’s first spoken word record label. Schröder feels that this is just in time as there is “room for a digital playground for poetry”, adding that, “The spoken word scene in South Africa is becoming a lot less underground and sort of stepping out and being like ‘Hey, we’re going to be part of the party.’”

Schröder says that many opportunities have been given to him through the network of people he’s met while being a part of the poetry scene. In order to form your own connections you need to “be at poetry events because that’s where people escape from their day jobs, where they are big CEOs or own a sound company.

Some of the best poets I’ve met, that’s all been in those legit hanging out times at Sessions. It’s just part of the culture to be in a room, with so many different creeds and cultures that are all like, ‘Hey, we all love poetry, how do we help each other to do better at it?’” said Schröder.

Even though poetry is still a growing art form in Pretoria, there is an audience that is willing to support it. “I think that’s the nature of the community, that people who are in spoken word are there for words and they’re there for the people that perform them, not to favour one over another. It’s not about people’s egos and it’s not about pomp and flattery,” said Schröder.

Entertainment

18 January ‘14

17

Arcade Empire, Dropzone and Schivas Rock are popular entertainment venues in Pretoria. Photos: Tahnee Otto

A drink a day: your weekly party plan LUSANDA FUTSHANE Partying is an exciting part of student life.

But as a first-year, you often don’t know the best places to go for your specific nightlife needs. Pretoria is full of all kinds of hotspots and they all tend to satisfy a particular partying urge. From live music venues to lazy Sunday wind downs, you can find a watering hole for your every mood just a stone’s throw away.

The “unintentional” Wednesday gathering Sometimes all you want is one drink, but then your friend whom you haven’t seen in weeks calls you and catching up takes a while.

Wouldn’t it be a shame to let the two-for-one special go to waste? The best way is to pick your one-drink venue carefully so that you aren’t tempted to stay too long.

Cherry Jam in Hatfield Square has excellent drinks specials (R50 for three jars of long island ice teas every day until 18:00). The

atmosphere is also perfect for mid-week chilling because it never gets too full.

The good old-fashioned Thursday night boozer In varsity, weekends begin on a Thursday. The whole of Pretoria comes alive on a Thursday night, but since there aren’t enough hours in one evening to see it all we’re going to recommend you stick to the tried and tested Dropzone.

Dropzone has a bit of a bad reputation on campus but somehow, miraculously, it’s still at full capacity every Thursday. Klein Saterdag means that drinks are cheaper, the strobe lights are brighter and the morals are more questionable. Unfortunately the hangovers are also meaner, but that’s a small price to pay.

The Friday night dress up spectacular As a student, you’ll get used to putting as little effort as possible into how you look when you leave to go to campus or to a party. There just isn’t enough time to pull off all the looks the

kids in the American Pie movies always happen to have lying around.

A couple of times a month on someone’s birthday or some other special occasion, you’ll actually have to dress up to get drunk.

Tiger Tiger in Menlyn is perfect for such occasions. The dress code on most nights is collared shirts and long pants for guys and fancy dresses for girls. If you can look past the jock and bottle-blonde crowd, there’s fun to be had. The electro-music and dizzying lights alone are enough to erase all memory of the steep entrance fees.

The live music Saturday jam Concert tickets are expensive, music festivals are few and far between, and live DVDs are for couch potatoes. So what’s a live music fan to do? If you study somewhere in the Karoo, this would be a difficult question to answer. But this is Pretoria and there are answers everywhere.

Arcade Empire has quickly become the premium local live music venue. Any

and every great band that swings through Gauteng wouldn’t dare make the error of not performing here. If you aren’t too fussy about sturdy furniture and clean floors, you could also check out Schivas Rock, which makes up in atmosphere what it lacks in class.

The slow Sunday simmer Hangovers are the worst part of any weekend and some will leave you lying naked on the cold bathroom floor tiles, sobbing softly to yourself. One way to get rid of a hangover is just to start drinking again. A couple of Sundays a month, Aandklas is open. You can braai at the back while you watch a rugby game and take advantage of their too good to be true drinks specials. Some Sundays they’ll even give you pap and sauce for free.

Whatever you do, wherever you end up, remember to stay safe and always quit while you’re ahead. Uncomfortable circumstances are a reality to bear in mind but with hotspots so close, a trusty friend is all you need.

Photo: UP’s Hatfield campus. Photo: Michael Mbaya

The guide to alternative adventure JOHAN SAAYMAN

As fulfilling as studying always is, every student must get away from the books every now and again. However, after a few occasions of youthful binge drinking, the Square seems to lose its charm and you’ll find yourself watching series alone.

One doesn’t always have to look far for new excitement, but it does require some researching. Luckily, Perdeby has done the work for you and found a number of locations and activities that every student can participate in, often without breaking the textbook budget.

On campus itself there are many free attractions to explore in an off period. The Sci-Enza is one of the places that every student must visit before graduating – even if you aren’t a science major.

The Sci-Enza allows the average Joe to make magic with science. It also features a mirror maze, which offers the rush of being lost in a labyrinth of your reflection. Students can visit the Sci-Enza every weekday between 08:30 and 16:30. It is located between the Thuto Building and the IT labs.

The UP Museum, situated in the Old Merensky Building, holds many artworks by various local artists, including Jacob Abraham van Tilburg and Eduardo Villa. The Botanical Gardens, located behind the Botany Building, provide a relaxing and restorative atmosphere for your decaffeinated soul.

There are also the Leo Haese lunch hour concerts, which take place every Thursday at 12:40 in the Musaion, where a variety of drama and choir performances take place.

Performance art can also be enjoyed off campus in the South African State Theatre just five kilometres from campus. Although a few cutbacks on the morning coffee at Fego must be made to buy a ticket, the theatre provides a multitude of professional performances by various organisations and companies.

For visual arts lovers, the Pierneef Museum is six kilometres from campus. The museum exclusively features the art and personal momentos of the famous landscape painter Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. It also has an in-house coffee shop.

If appreciating nature scenes in person is more appealing to you, visiting a campsite is a cheap weekend getaway. Many sites like Dinokeng are within 20 kilometres of the university and offer a great escape from the rushed city life and pressures of varsity. Hiking trails and caravan parks like SunnysideUp Backpackers, Groenkloof Nature Reserve and the Oubaas Trail at the Jan Smuts House are located in various areas of Pretoria.

If you’re just looking for a day outing, the Austin Roberts Memorial Bird Sanctuary in Boshoff Street offers an enriching experience and The National Zoological Gardens has 705 animal species, including koalas and red pandas. The zoo is open from 08:00 until 17:30, with night tours from 18:30. Further out is the Wonderboom Nature Reserve which is famous for the 1 000-year-old wild fig tree as well as the Wonderboom Fort where there are picnic facilities. The Pretoria Botanical Garden features 76 hectares of almost 70-year-old native South African plant species, for those who prefer the greener side of nature.

Historians can find a slice of heaven close to home. The Natural Cultural History Museum is situated a mere three kilometres from campus while the Claude Malan Military Museum is only five kilometres away.

If you prefer a busier environment, the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre has a go-kart track. It is open from 16:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays and 11:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.

There is also the Kolonnade Shopping Centre, which is a 15-minute drive away from campus. It has tenpin bowling, an ice-skating rink, a go-kart racing track and a range of new American bingo terminals.

Pretoria also hosts the Oriental Plaza flea market in Centurion, which offers a wide range of products that can only be obtained from the shops in the mall.

With so many entertainment options, Perdeby recommends befriending a third-year BCom student to guide you through the management of your limited funds.

18

18 January ‘14

Entertainment

A side order of secrets

LUSANDA FUTSHANE

Every town holds its secrets: routes that get you around traffic jams, hand signs that make using the taxi system simple and violencefree, and places to go to avoid tourist crowds around the holiday months. Sadly, to learn any of these things about any particular city one needs to have lived there for a while. But fret not because this time Perdeby is breaking the code and presenting you with a few unique restaurants in Pretoria that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Ginger and Fig (shop 5, Brooklyn Centre, 751 Jan Shoba Street) This gem is basically right under your nose but no one ever seems to be aware of it – especially considering that it’s right next to a popular bottle store. You know all those pictures of impossible-looking sandwiches and desserts posted on Instagram? Well, they’re conceived at places like Ginger and Fig. It’s a restaurant all about unique and artisanal food made from fresh and organic ingredients. With its postindustrial décor and indie music, Ginger and Fig is exactly the kind of spot you want to know about before anyone else and then snootily introduce to your friends.

Interesting menu item: The potato chips look like nothing you’ve encountered before. +27 Design Café (corner of Jan Shoba and South Streets) You’re probably wondering what a “design café” is. Well, around Hatfield, +27 is widely regarded as a place where all the creative geniuses in Pretoria meet and discuss how next to blow our minds with art, music and fashion.

It hosts events such as poetry readings and vintage design fairs, but on a day-to-day basis it’s just a peaceful café with a great lunch menu and free Wi-Fi. If you’re not exactly the artistic type, but would still like to support young local designers you can even purchase some of the clothes, accessories and CDs that are usually available at the front of the café.

Interesting menu item: the Turkish delight smoothie and the gorgonzola and pear croissant.

Aroma Gourmet Coffee Roastery (shop 4, Florents Heights Shopping Centre, 265 Lynnwood Road)

Ginger and Fig’s eland burger and chips. Photo: Lyticia Erasmus Once you get into the groove of student life you might find yourself developing a bit of a caffeine addiction. Now, there are as many “best cup of coffee in town” opinions as there are coffee consumers, so we’ll steer clear of that and focus instead on the coolest cup.

What makes Aroma Roastery so nifty is something that you’ll notice the moment you walk through the door: a gigantic retro roaster right in the middle of the café that seems to be physically holding the whole place up. They roast their own beans, which provides a more authentic feeling to your coffee experience.

They also have a sandwich menu and have

recently opened up a gelato bar right next door.

Interesting menu item: the pino penguino gelato.

Lucky Rodrigo (corner of The Hillside Street and Alpine Way) You’re going to have to travel a little for this one, but it’s worth it. Back in the 70s there were these restaurants that were really popular in London called gastro pubs. They served shamelessly unhealthy lunch meals that went well with beer. In a nutshell, that’s what Lucky Rodrigo is.

The menu is simple and ordinary, but every dish is pulled off well and they stock craft

beer. The vibe is also quite relaxed, giving off a Bruce Springsteen music video atmosphere.

At the end of the evening if you still feel like having more fun, Schivas Rock is just across the road.

Interesting menu item: Jack Black beer.

The thing about secrets is that they don’t stay that way for long. Some of the most popular joints in the city started out as secret eateries, but for the brief time that these places still hold on to their exclusivity, stop by a few of them and get the original experience.

Res life: signature events

Mopanie’s 2013 Oesdag. Photo: Oan de Waal

MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN While residence life is filled with Rag, Serrie and sport, the social aspect remains one of the most dominant. Each residence hosts a number of events throughout the year, but there are some events that should be prominent on any socialite’s calendar. Age-old or recently introduced, these events each have a history and precious connection to the res that hosts it.

Oesdag is harvest day for Mopanie. After their Peppies have diligently kept watch over their 0.1 hectares of corn, the harvest of their crop is a great celebration. The April afternoon includes a tractor pull, jukskei, a beauty pageant

and plenty of dancing in the evening. After the celebration, the mielies are donated to charity as one of their Rag projects.

Olienhout hosts an annual Rhino Week in aid of their main Rag project. Dedicated to raising funds for StopRhinoPoaching.com, Olienhout can be spotted on campus in their rhino suits selling merchandise or ordering Stywe Horing shots at their Rhino Week socials.

Continuing on the animal themes, “horse” races abound at the Taaibos July. Having first been held in 2012, the July takes place early in the second semester. Typical to a sophisticated day at the races, the spectators arrive dressed to the nines. Those with luck on their side can

place bets on the makeshift “horses” that the Taaibos first-years race around their parking lot.

Also in its third year is Kollege’s infamous End of the World Party. Although we survived the apocalypse of 2012, this was no excuse not to host the party again last year, proof of why Kollege was named Social Res of the Year in 2013.

From the end of the world to around the world we get to Olympus, who host an annual Around The World culture event. Punch abounds as each corridor chooses a country or place as their theme and attempts to outdo the other corridors’ parties.

Ladies residences may be more subdued

when it comes to social events but that doesn’t mean you should overlook them. Each ladies res hosts a pageant where they crown the most eligible man and lady of the house. This year is special for Nerina as they host Mr and Miss Feesjaar Nerina which will include an ecofriendly twist. House weeks are also filled with social events. Klaradyn hosts In the Lion’s Den which promotes sisterhood and pride.

With these parties spread out over the year you can never be starved of entertainment.

These events are open to the public, so you’re guaranteed to meet new friends. This is also a great way to interact with the residences, especially if you aren’t in res yourself.

Entertainment

18 January ‘14

19

Illustration: Simon-Kai Garvie

The arts at UP: Serious or second rate?

LIZL LOMBAARD UP’s three art departments, situated on the outskirts of the Hatfield campus, will probably only be noticed if you have a few friends who study the arts. The truth is that art students, whether they study drama, music or visual arts, are just as busy as students studying other fields. Students studying the arts work hard to balance an academic career at varsity while dedicating ample time to refining their talent. UP Arts host many events on campus throughout the year to which Tuks students and members of the public are invited to see why art students should be taken seriously. These events are not just limited to performances by the music and drama department students but include the Department of Visual Arts’ annual art exhibitions.

Students can’t rely on family, friends and fellow Tuks students to support them.

“Attendance and support from both the art students themselves and those from other departments seems lacking,” says TarrynTanille Prinsloo, a student doing her honours in drama.

“The arts have always gone unappreciated by the majority of students. The arts are sometimes not seen as a serious field of study by other students,” says Marinus Claassen, a final-year political sciences student who works at the UP Arts archive office.

Second-year BMus student LeighAnn Collins agrees to some extent saying that, “Music as a degree is often much underestimated. People expect we sit around and jam the whole day, but the truth is, music

as a degree has more academic related subjects than expressive subjects.” She does, however, mention that she has noticed more students supporting the lunch hour concerts quite often.

Students living in Tuks residences are also encouraged to support the lunch hour concerts as they earn culture points by attending which contributes to the Residence of the Year competition.

The free Leo Haese lunch hour concerts managed by UP Arts are hosted every Thursday of the academic year at 12:40. These are open to Tuks students as well as members of the public. The lunch hour concerts are a great way for Tuks students to see what UP Arts has to offer that might pique their interest, and hopefully develop a new love for the arts.

Most of the performances showcased at these lunch hour concerts are just appetisers for the concerts which are held later in the month on a grander scale.

The concerts showcase acts ranging from music recitals by students of the music department to well-known singers like Anna Davel. The Tuks Camerata choir, UP Ovuwa group and the UP Symphony Orchestra (UPSO) are just some of the many other internal performance groups who get a chance to showcase their talents at a professional level for the wider student population of Tuks. The drama department’s students also got a chance to introduce their skills to new audiences earlier in 2013 with their dance-drama production Chasing.

As there is proof that there is more than enough cultural stimulation for Tuks students to engage with on campus, why is the support not

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Welcome to all our new students and congratulations. The fact that you have been admitted as a University of Pretoria student means that you have performed exceptionally well in your final year of school.

As you know there was fierce competition for places and for 2014 admission to the University of Pretoria (UP) was the most competitive we have seen since we were established more than one hundred years’ ago. UP is attracting exceptionally talented students from all over the country and beyond. You are now part of a leading university that ranks among the top 500 in the world. We are a dynamic, diverse campus community united by our commitment to our academic excellence, relevance, diversity, and sustainability.

Tuks of Niks is a motto that you will hear from our students, staff and alumni.

It is an expression of the unique vibrancy and dynamism of UP…the widest range of academic programmes, a winning sports culture, community programmes that make a difference, a university orchestra and choirs are among the features that make us exceptional.

The beginning of the year is especially exciting as there are many social and sporting activities.

what it should be? “It depends greatly on the type of performance,” says Collins about the support of the lunch hour concerts. She added that, “Mostly older people came to watch the Anna Davel show, but mostly students came to watch the Camerata show.”

The UP Arts Facebook page, which regularly posts new events, only has 560 “likes”. This number doesn’t even make up the combined number of students from the different art departments. This begs the question of whether the arts are supported within their own circle.

“I don’t support the art and drama departments as I should,” confesses secondyear BMus student Jeandre Botha. “I think we could support each other in future more,” she adds.

Attending art events on campus is worth one’s time. “Tickets are cheaper than events outside of campus. These events are also easier accessible as opposed to driving to the State Theatre to see a stage production or a museum outside of campus,” says Carla Taute, a BA(Hons) Drama student.

“Students from other departments should make an effort to support the arts on campus as it is a platform for young upcoming artists to test their work with audiences before moving into the industry. I think other departments will also be surprised at the high-level of quality of the works staged and have a better understanding of what the arts entail,” says Prinsloo.

That being said, it possibly isn’t so much the lack of interest in the arts from students of other departments, but more a lack of marketing on the part of the art departments While I encourage you to participate in these, do ensure that your academic work always comes first.

You have already made two decisions that will shape the rest of your life: firstly you decided to pursue a university education and secondly, you decided to study at one of South Africa’s leading institutions. Now make your decisions work for you so that your dreams about your future will come true.

Besides your talent, time is your most precious resource. University life offers a sense of autonomy and freedom but you are not on your own as there are numerous support services. Successful students ask for help! We are proud to count among UP alumni many top leaders in the public and private sectors both locally and abroad. Your success is our success and we are, therefore, committed to assisting you to live up to your full potential.

Welkom by Tuks! Re a le amogela!

Professor Cheryl de la Rey Vice-Chancellor and Principal

themselves. Most of the students interviewed told Perdeby that more could be done with regard to advertising cultural events on campus. “There isn’t enough promotions of these events,” says Shannon Leigh Russel, a final-year drama student.

The annual UP Arts calendar can be downloaded from the university’s website, but this is tedious as one must go through a few links to reach it. Botha suggests that each faculty have a programme of upcoming performances on display to improve awareness.

Collins agrees and feels that more should be done in terms of advertising on Facebook and ClickUP. However, advertising is presented on platforms such as Facebook and on posters on campus. This indicates that either Tuks students don’t take notice, that advertisements are poorly positioned or that they aren’t interesting enough. “In order to get people to attend the events you first have to get them interested” says Claassen.

Social media plays a big role in the way information is received. The small amount of time information has to make an impact on people before the next exciting piece of information is presented, is a major concern.

The arts benefit each individual. Participating in the arts creates friendships, builds confidence and adds a new dimension to your well-being.

Watching the arts can be relaxing but also intellectually challenging. With the rich culture that South Africa has, our arts are unique and intimate. Supporting our local artists is a must as the arts are an expression of society and the individuals.

20

18 January ‘14

Advertisement

Illustration: Christi Meletakos

Sport

18 January ‘13

21

Kings and queens of residence sport BRIAN KIAUTHA A new year in residence sport signifies two things: the previous year’s champions are hoping to defend their title and the other participants are aiming to win those titles.

In October 2013 Onderstepoort (OP) was named the best sporting residence at the residence Prestige Awards evening. The award for the best residence was determined according to how the teams performed in the sport that they were involved in.

OP men won the rugby league, beating Mopanie in the final by a single try. OP women won the football league and came second in the hockey league. Vividus Ladies won the hockey league after beating OP in a competitive final.

OP’s 2013 Sport HK Ashleigh Lord said, “We are proud of our performance in sports this year, more so by winning the best res sport of the year. We aim to better our performances in 2014.”

Olienhout was named the second best sport residence after winning the men’s hockey league and finishing second in the cricket league. “We performed really well and consistent[ly] this year in all our sports,” said Tiaan Prinsloo, Olienhout’s 2013 Sport HK. Klaradyn was named the third best sport residence. They won the netball league after

Mopanie won the residence cricket league for the second year in a row. Photo: Oan de Waal

beating OP in the final. Klaradyn also reached the final of the Valentine’s Netball Tournament, but lost 10-4 to Magrietjie. Andrea Uys, Klaradyn’s 2013 Sport HK, said, “Our girls really gave their all and it certainly paid off.

The pride and spirit we have in our res pulled

What not to do when watching sport at Tuks

Students show their Tukkie pride during a Varsity Cup match. Photo: Brad Donald

KHUMO MEKGWE It’s easy to become so overwhelmed with the excitement of starting university that you lose your cool once in a while. Perdeby has put together five ways for you to save your reputation at a sport event. Not only are these tips for your own good, but they are also for the safety of those around you.

Don’t scream “Tuks of Niks” every second It is not unusual to hear the crowd chant “Tuks of Niks” in the last minutes of a match to encourage the team and create a sense of pride among the supporters. However, the crowd is not always in the mood to chant. When you try to start a “Tuks of Niks” chant, make sure that people join you. If everyone stops chanting, so should you. You will look sad and everyone will feel a little bit awkward if you don’t.

Remember, less is more.

Don’t be a sore loser The edge that team rivalry brings adds to the spectator’s entertainment and the game’s intensity. Enjoy and engage in team rivalry as it will only result in good memories, and maybe even a few friends from the opposing supporters.

In sport there are three possible outcomes to a game: a win, a draw or a loss. Fortunately, Tuks doesn’t lose very often. Whatever happens, though, refrain from making rude remarks to the opponents and their fans or turning the parking

lot into a makeshift boxing ring. Competition is what sport is all about, so know how to accept defeat. We assure you that a one-point loss is not the end of the world.

Don’t show up to a sport event drunk Firstly, you might not get to drink at the match and where’s the fun in that? Secondly, it’s unfair to your friends who have to babysit you so that you don’t do something embarrassing. Leave the drinks for post-match celebrations.

Don’t wear heels to matches Girls, we know that high heels are awesome and everything, but leave them at home when you go to a match. If you really want to participate in the crowd’s activities it’s better to be comfortable than to try to attract the attention from a cute player. It’s worth wearing flat shoes to get behind the TuksSport players.

Don’t try to be the match official You might be the indoor Fifa 14 champion and you might know the rules of the game better than anyone else, but leave the on-field decisions to the officials. It does nothing for your image if you reprimand the match official on section 2.4 of chapter eight from the rugby law book. Remember that empty vessels make the most noise.

University sport is about having fun and not being made fun of. So the next time that you see a fellow spectator not abiding by the rules, be a good Tukkie and hand them a copy of this edition.

us through.”

TuksVillage’s women’s volleyball team won their league after beating Zinnia in the finals.

This is the first year that TuksVillage has had a women’s team participating in the residence volleyball league.

TuksVillage’s men’s volleyball team also won their league, beating Sonop in the final.

This was the only time in 2013 that both the men’s and women’s team from a residence won in the same sporting code. TuksVillage’s 2013 chairperson Rogan Bruce said that it “was a special performance”.

Vividus Ladies won the women’s basketball league, which comprised of faculty houses, day houses and residences.

The Law House won the men’s basketball league. The faculty did not lose a match throughout the league and beat Olympus in the final.

Mopanie won the cricket league by beating Olienhout in the final. In doing so Mopanie defended the title that they had won in 2012.

Mopanie’s 2013 Sport HK Wesley Britz was impressed by the performance. “We will come back in 2014 to work hard and reach the heights we reached in 2013 but at the same time enjoy the sports. Our main focus is always to enjoy what we are doing,” he said.

Kiaat won the men’s football league. Aidan Burrows, Kiaat’s 2013 Sport HK, said that the residence put on “a superb performance”. He added that although many of the players left the residence at the end of 2013, the residence has enough young players to continue to perform well in 2014.

22 TuksSport’s 2014 plans KHUMO MEKGWE

For many years the university has been known for producing the country’s top athletes and teams. Perdeby met with the director of TuksSport, Kobus van der Walt, to discuss how TuksSport will maintain its standards in 2014. Van der Walt explained that the formula for TuksSport is hard work and to realise that athletes are students firstly.

“The plan for next year is to simply do what we have done [in 2013],” said Van der Walt. He added that TuksSport has developed a specific sport culture that is supported by hard-working coaches and athletes. Van der Walt said that one of the reasons why TuksSport has been so successful is because of the ability of its members to deliver at a competitive level.

“Winning is our passion,” he said.

TuksSport will undergo many developments in 2014. The Sport campus will expand to include a Cricket South Africa Centre of Excellence, the first in the country, and construction on the new TuksSport High School will start. The school, which is managed by the university’s High Performance Centre, is currently based on the Groenkloof campus. The new facility will be ready for use in 2015 and will allow the school’s students to be closer to the university’s sport facilities. Existing facilities on the Sport campus will be upgraded throughout the year.

Van der Walt said that one of his aims for 2014 is for more students to participate in sport, adding that sport is an important part of student life.

HPC athletes training for Rio Olympics MICHAEL REINDERS UP is home to the High Performance Centre (HPC), the first elite sport facility to be established in Southern Africa. The HPC, situated on the Sport campus, was launched in 2002 and is used by South African, as well as international, athletes for training.

The HPC offers a number of services including training facilities, medical services, accommodation and food. It is fitted with state-of-the-art technology and is home to many experts.

Many South African athletes are already preparing at the HPC for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The South African rowing squad is staying and training at the HPC. South Africa has five

UP has a prestigious sporting history. The university has produced some of the best sportspeople in the country, including many Olympic athletes who trained at Tuks.

However, amid the greatness that TuksSport achieves, students who participate in sport also find time to have a bit of fun.

The Tuks 1 cricket team has a pre-season camp in Durban, while the TuksAquatics athletes have a training camp every year. These pre-season camps are a chance for the teams to socialise and strategise for the season to come.

TuksRugby hosts socials for its teams on a regular basis, while TuksCricket has a combined social each month. At TuksCricket socials, awards are given to the best batter and bowler of the month as well as to the most valuable player of the month, TuksCricket administrator Blanche Conradie told Perdeby.

TuksHockey player Omari Pienaar said that the social aspect of sport is important because “it keeps the fun and jokes in sport”. She said that having the opportunity to unwind with her teammates is rewarding and that strong friendships are forged in the team. “To us it’s

boats in the 2016 Olympics. At the London Olympics, the men’s lightweight four won gold in their event and Bridgitte Hartley won bronze in hers.

The 2012 Triathlon Junior World champion Wian Sullwald is training at the HPC to compete at a senior level at the Olympics.

Caster Semenya, who won silver in the women’s 800m at the London Olympics, is also training for the 2016 Olympics at the HPC. She is the current women’s 800m world champion and will be aiming for gold in Rio. Three hurdles athletes are training at the HPC. Cornel Frederick, a 400m hurdles athlete, won silver at the 2010 African Championships and was fifth in the 2011 World Championships.

PC Beneke also competed in the 400m hurdles and finished fifth in the 2007 IAAF World Youth

The HPC is one of the country’s top training facilities. Photo: Brad Donald

The social side of sport PHILIP STOFBERG

Sport

18 January ‘14

like being part of a family in our team. We spend so much time together that it’s weird when we don’t see each other,” Pienaar told Perdeby.

Many additional social opportunities arise as the various sport clubs try to raise funds to cover club expenses. “We also arrange other fundraising activities for the club, as the club has to generate our own funds for facilities, salaries, equipment and so on, where there are more social opportunities for the club and its players,” Conradie said.

Clubs raise money for charity as well.

TuksRugby works with Varsity Cup to raise funds against the abuse of women and children.

This year, the Varsity Cup Pink Campaign raised more than R300 000. Tuks raised R85 000 for Mercer House, a transitional house for abused women. TuksTennis and TuksRes partnered up to raise money for the Bradley Children’s Home during the 2013 Tuks Open Tennis Tournament and are looking at helping more children’s homes in the future.

Whether you play sport or just watch it, TuksSport offers students opportunities to interact with other students on a social level and also to assist the community.

Participating in sport is a good way to make the most of student life. Photo: Oan de Waal

Championships. He came 14th in the 2013 IAAF World Championships. South African 400m hurdles record holder LJ van Zyl will look to find the form that saw him come third at the World Championships in 2011. Van Zyl broke through into the senior ranks by winning gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and at the African Championships. His most recent gold medal came at the African Championships in 2010. He won silver at the Commonwealth Games in the same year.

Jacques van Zyl, a South African judoka who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, is also training at the HPC for the 2016 Olympics. Van Zyl competes in the under-73kg division and he recently competed in the 2013 World Judo Championships in Rio.

Image: www.olympic.org

Music to your ears UNCIAL HAUPT Have you ever gone for a run with your iPod on full blast and felt better afterwards?

Listening to music can boost your workout and enable you to exercise for longer periods of time.

People who listen to music while exercising can maintain a more intense pace than people who exercise without music.

It has been proven that exercise releases “happy hormones”, otherwise known as endorphins. According to fitness expert Anna Roberts, “Endorphins make you feel exhilarated and happy and block any feelings of pain, so you can power through any discomfort caused by exercising.”

Research suggests that music also helps you relax. This improves blood flow and relaxes muscles, increasing the supply of oxygen to the muscles while exercising.

Research has shown that slower-paced songs will cause deep relaxation, making it harder

Listening to music may help you work out for longer. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

to work out or to concentrate, so it is better to listen to songs with a strong, fast beat when you are exercising.

A study conducted by Excel Performance, a football centre in America that focuses on nutrition and health, found that individuals who listened to music with a fast beat while exercising had faster reaction times than those who did not. The centre’s Ashley Hill said that, “If you like to listen to genres such as electronic, metal or anything with a fast beat-per-minute count, research states your movements overall will be quicker.”

Experts suggest that you should start your workout by listening to moderately slow songs to warm up. Switch to a more upbeat playlist during your workout and go back to the slower songs to cool down. An example of a good workout playlist could look something like this: Gym Class Heroes’ “Stereo heart”, Def Leppard’s “Pour some sugar on me” and The Lumineers’ “Ho hey”.

Here are ten of Perdeby’s favourite workout songs for various forms of exercising: Running: “Eye of the tiger”, Survivor Gym (strength): “Highway to hell”, AC/DC Gym (cardio): “Enter the sandman”, Metallica Yoga: “Breathe”, The Cinematic Orchestra Walking: “Ho hey”, The Lumineers Adventure sport: “Pour some sugar on me”, Def Leppard Pilates: “We are the champions”, Queen Cycling: “Kids”, MGMT Walking up the stairs at res: “Tussen die krake”, Fokofpolisiekar Swimming: “Alive”, Empire of the Sun (we advise you to play this through speakers out of the water).

Sport

23

18 January ‘14

Best TuksSport athletes

Victor Matfield. Image: randomstruik.co.za

Joost van der Westhuizen. Image: jacarandafm.com

Caster Semenya. Image: photoshelter.com

Roland Schoeman. Image: olympic.org

GABRIELLA FERREIRA

squad in 1998.

Matfield went on to establish himself as one of the best locks in the game and achieved great success in both club and international rugby before retiring in 2011.

Matfield’s accolades include three Currie Cup titles, two Super Rugby titles, two Tri-Nations titles and one World Cup victory.

Matfield has recently announced his return to rugby.

Joost van der Westhuizen (rugby) Van der Westhuizen earned himself a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree at Tuks before going on to become arguably one of the greatest scrum-halfs of all time.

The former Springbok captain is another

highly decorated rugby player to come out of Tuks, with accolades such as a World Cup title, a number of Currie Cup titles and national records.

Caster Semenya (athletics) Semenya was one of South Africa’s few medal winners at the 2012 London Olympics.

She is a former Tuks student and studied sport science.

Although she faced controversy early on in her career, Semenya is undoubtedly one of the greatest runners South Africa has ever had, breaking many national records in the 800m and 1500m races.

Other accolades include a first place finish at the IAAF Championship in 2009 and a second

place finish in 2011.

Roland Schoeman (swimming) Roland Schoeman is undeniably one of the most successful South African swimmers of all time.

This former Tuks student has broken several world records in his career and is currently the holder of the world record in the 50m freestyle at 20.30 seconds.

Schoeman’s breakout performance occurred at the 2004 Athens Olympics where he won four medals in individual and team competitions.

He has since gone on to compete successfully in a number of competitions including the Commonwealth Games and a number of world championships.

University is not all about books, lectures and exams. There are a number of activities students can engage in outside of the academic field, such as joining societies and participating in sport.

TuksSport offers a total of 26 sporting disciplines. It has a strong tradition of producing some of the country’s best sportspeople throughout its history, with many going on to compete successfully at an international level.

Here is a brief look at a few former Tukkies who went on to excel in their chosen sport.

Victor Matfield (rugby) The former Springbok captain played for UP’s u/21 squad before being called up to the national

Tuks aiming to defend the Varsity Cup in 2014 PHILIP STOFBERG For the past two years Tuks has won the Varsity Cup rugby tournament, beating Stellenbosch University (Maties) in both finals. In the past, Maties were hailed as the country’s top tertiary institute with regards to rugby but these two Tuks triumphs have proven that Tuks is a major competitor in top university rugby in South Africa.

Tuks lost only one match in the 2012 Varsity Cup season. The loss came against Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch and the final score was 23-22.

Tuks won the final, which was held at Tuks’s Sport campus. 29-27. Trompie Pretorius, Basil Short, Lohan Jacobs and Franco Mostert all scored tries in the final. Wesley Dunlop, Tuks’s fly-half, converted three of the tries.

Dunlop scored the most points during the tournament and was voted the Player that Rocks, an accolade given to the tournament’s most valuable player. Similarly, winger Clayton Blommetjies was voted the Back that Rocks as the most valuable backline player.

The road to the 2013 final was not an easy one for Tuks. Tuks lost matches early in the 2013 season to North-West University and Maties. Tuks also lost to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University later in the season.

The Tuks team found form and strength in

The Varsity Cup team lines up before the 2013 final. Photo: Brad Donald

time for the final rounds of the tournament.

The 2013 final was a one-sided affair, with Maties managing to score only one try, which was not converted. Tuks scored five tries, all of which were converted by fly-half Handré Pollard. Pollard also added a penalty and Blommetjies scored a drop goal. Earlier disappointments in the season were easily forgotten after the clinical performance that

Learn to speak:

Pedi (North Sotho) Zulu & Tswana Aim: To learn to communicate in an indigenous language in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Programme: We have programmes for the beginner, intermediate and advanced level learners.

Specialized courses?

Yes, we will design the course to suit your needs, be it just for casual communication or for business purposes.

Learning Material? Included!

41 Shirley Ave East Murrayfield info@my-aec.co.za www.my-aec.co.za

012 803 2860

www. MY-AEC .co.za

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT CENTRE

myrestweets.co.za @myrestweets

sealed Tuks’s second Varsity Cup title.

The 2014 season should be exciting for Tuks fans. The Tuks Varsity Cup team’s manager Morris Gilbert told Perdeby that his team can win the Varsity Cup for a record third time. “We will again field a very competitive side with lots of depth in almost every position,” he said.

Gilbert said the team will rely on players who have played in the Varsity Cup or the Varsity

Cup Young Guns tournament.

The team started practice on 4 November 2013, taking a break from 13 December.

Training resumed on 6 January with warmup games against Brakpan, TUT, Rustenburg Impala, Naka Bulle and Roodepoort scheduled to be played in January.

Spec-Savers Hatfield Shop 29, Hatfield plaza Burnette Street Hatfield 0123622887

Sport

Spec-Savers Hillcrest Shop 13, Hillcrest Boulevard Cnr of Duxbury and Lynnwood str.

Hillcrest 0123623144

TuksSports’s 2013 Varsity Sports success MICHAEL REINDERS Last year was a very successful year for TuksSport in the various Varsity Sports competitions, namely football, hockey, rugby, netball and athletics.

Universities across South Africa compete in competitions or leagues hosted by Varsity Sports for each sport code and Tuks participates in all of the Varsity Sports events.

Last year was the inaugural Varsity Football championship and Tuks became the tournament’s first champions. The Tuks 1 men’s football team beat Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) at home in the final to win the competition. Tuks captain Kabelo Ramongane said that, “We knew that we were going to win it from the beginning, irrespective of our bad start. Let me tell you our secret. We peaked at the right time.” Tuks lost their first game in the tournament but were able to recover to reach the final.

TuksHockey had a good 2013 season with the women’s hockey team coming fourth in the Varsity Hockey tournament. Tuks were beaten

by Kovsies (University of the Free State) in the match that determined third place. Maties (Stellenbosch University) won the tournament with North-West University coming second.

TuksRugby won the Varsity Rugby tournament last year for the second time in a row. The team retained their champion status by beating rivals Maties in Stellenbosch.

TuksAthletics were also successful in Varsity Athletics and were crowned Varsity Athletics champions in 2013. The competition saw athletes competing at different universities all over the country over a number of weeks. The

The TuksAthletics team celebrates after winning the Varsity Sports South Africa athletics league. Photo: Brad Donald

final athletics meeting was held at Tuks and it was fitting that TuksAthletics won the overall competition at home. As a team, TuksAthletics came out as winners but there were also brilliant individual performances from many of the athletes. All of the relay teams won their races at the final meeting and athletes such as LJ

TuksSport: 2013 in review

Van Zyl shone in order to contribute to Tuks’s success.

TuksNetball had a successful 2013 season.

The beginning of their season was very good and they only lost a couple of matches. They then went on to play in the semi-finals of the Varsity Netball tournament, where they lost 46-

42 to North-West University TuksSport is a growing brand, with all of the sport codes under the association doing very well in their respective competitions. By looking at all of the 2013 results it can be seen that Tuks is one of the top sporting universities in the country.

Come watch the Varsity Cup live at Barristers

Buy one get one free

on all local beers, ciders and spirits between 4pm and 6pm

Mondays

Buy one get one free on all Main Meals

Defender Junior Sibande on the ball against Moroka Swallows. Photo: Kobus Barnard

GABRIELLA FERREIRA Last year was described as a year of sporting excellence by the director of TuksSport, Kobus van der Walt. This comes as no surprise as the university’s sport clubs achieved new heights of success with many of their teams and individual members performing well in both amateur and professional competitions.

The year saw various victories for TuksSport in University Sport South Africa (USSA) competitions. Tuks teams that won USSA events include TuksRowing, TuksHockey (women), TuksGolf and TuksAthletics (which also won Varsity Athletics).

Other highlights for last year include TuksFootball’s AmaTuks who were able to retain their position in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in their very first season in top flight football. TuksRugby won the Varsity Cup for the second year in a row and TuksCricket

won Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) National Club Championships and the Northerns Cricket Union Premier League Championship and went undefeated for 66 matches.

In individual sport, Jacques van Zyl of TuksJudo won the 2013 Africa Senior Championship title. Nobuhle Dlamini of TuksGolf won the SA Women’s Amateur Stroke play title and the SA 72 Hole Championships.

Senade Haupt of TuksSquash was ranked first in USSA and represented the country at the All Africa Championships.

A total of 108 TuksSport members were chosen to represent their countries in various sporting disciplines while 13 Tuks coaches and managers were selected to manage national squads in professional competitions.

It will be hard for TuksSport to better 2013’s achievements, but they certainly will be aiming to do so this year.

Varsity Promo Girls Free Shooters Great Atmosphere Big Screen West End lifestyle and Decor centre Cnr Zambesi Drive and Veronica road, Montanapark

30 000 people read the print version of

Perdeby To advertise email carel.willemse@up.ac.za

visit www.perdeby.co.za for ad rates