6 April 2020 Issue 5 Year 82

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre 454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

Tel: 012 362 7180

PDBY

6 April 2020

Year 82 | Issue 5

yourcampusnews.

My parents always told me I wouldn’t achieve anything lying on the couch all day. But look at me now, saving the world

Image: Marchall Potgieter and Kayla Thomas

P3

NSFAS allowances during lockdown

P4

Food trucks and food security at UP

P7

Things to do during the lockdown

Know something, say something Tips can be sent to news@pdby.co.za or to @PDBYMedia on Instagram

2 | From the Editor

Stay home, stay safe

PDBY Media Copy: Ropafadzo Chidemo CJ Barnard Ume Dikio Takunda Marecha Nomzamo Xolly Maluleka Kalen Kroëse

T

his has been a strenuous time for everyone. A nationwide lockdown is unprecedented in South Africa, and the fact that it’s for a pandemic is all the more frightening. But, as scary as it is, we need to stay calm and act proactively.

Panic buying and hoarding resources ultimately does more harm than any good you may feel it does by “preparing” you. The only reason there wouldn’t be food and other essential products is if people panic buy and hoard these items. Everyone needs to buy their groceries as usual and that pushy feeling we all feel urging us to stock pile food, will go away. Responsibly shopping at this stage is part of proactive acting to ensure tthat he lockdown is effective.

On that note, the lockdown can only be effective if people adhere to the rules. I get very frustrated watching the news or scrolling through social media and seeing people moving around openly and going about their business as usual. It is so selfish to mindlessly go on with life as if there isn’t pressure on yourself right now, it is normal anything happening. But maybe I am being too to feel tired and drained by what’s going on. harsh too quickly, perhaps those people don’t I feel a little lost and helpless because this understand why the lockdown is in place. In that case, open any news source and educate yourself! pandemic is so much bigger than me and I feel like I want to do so much more to fight As a global citizen, every single person has the it. These feelings can take it out of you and responsibility to follow the lockdown rules and you can feel fatigued, anxious and drained.

FLATTEN THE CURVE of the disease. You may I think it’s normal to feel this way, and we not be afraid of COVID-19, but you still have a need to be a little more understanding of moral responsibility to protect others from the ourselves. It is also important to remember disease, especially the vulnerable in our society. that we are doing what we can to fight the South Africa has the highest levels HIV and disease by practicing physical distancing, Aids infections in the world, which means that washing our hands, offering psychological there are millions of people with compromised support to those around us, and by staying immune systems. This is over and above the home if we aren’t essential workers. It is other factors of vulnerability such as age, health also important to remind ourselves and and poverty level. So yes, you may not be afraid others that this will pass and that the world of “some flu” (which COVID-19 is decidedly will go on. not), but not Hope can do a lot in maintaining our everyone has mental health. the luxury to be Throughout the lockdown PDBY will be so carefree. publishing online editions and regular online On the exclusives. Look out for those on pdby.co.za topic of the and @PDBYMedia on Instagram, Twitter lockdown, it’s and Facebook! important to Until next time, look after yourselves, take care of stay calm, avoid fake news and follow the yourself and rules. your mental Stay safe health. Don’t put too much Kayla Thomas Illustration: Promise Zulu

Layout: Kelly Anne Kong Kam Wa Duane Kitching Kara Olivier Ngoako Ramokgopa Kirsten Minaar Multimedia: Mashudu Madzhiga Vice Mkansi Promise Zulu Cletus Mulaudi Madhuri Rambaran Sanele Zulu Cassandra Eardely Marchall Potgieter Adorn Ndlovu Kamogelo Mogapi Elma Akob Web: Jonathan Oladeji Zurika Raubenheimer Lucky Griffin Nyabicha Social Media: Jc Steyn Mbali Kunene

PDBYMedia Know something, say something

yourcampusnews.

PDBYMedia, formerly Perdeby, is the official independent student newspaper of the University of Pretoria. We are committed to providing fresh and entertaining news content for UP students, by UP students, about UP issues.

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

PDBY Media

Print, Digital, and Broadcast Youth Media

www.pdby.co.za Twitter:

@PDBYMedia @PDBYSport @PDBYe Instagram: @PDBYMedia Facebook: PDBYMedia Tel: (012) 420 6600

Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse Editor Kayla Thomas Digital Manager Sam Mukwamu News Susanna Anbu Features Kristin De Decker Entertainment Dani Van Der Horst Sport Caitlyn Walsh

6 April 2020

carel.willemse@up.ac.za @Ed_in_Chief editor@pdby.co.za @KaylaThomas1998 digitalmanager@pdby.co.za @sammysouthside news@pdby.co.za @PDBYMedia features@pdby.co.za @krissydd1 entertainment@pdby.co.za @danvanderhorst sport@pdby.co.za @cait_walshh

Social Media Tacita Black Marketing Marné Swanepoel Copy Marren McKay Visuals Giovanna Janos Multimedia Tshepang Rhilampfu Layout Leah Rees Web

socialmedia@pdby.co.za @tacitablack marketing@pdby.co.za @skippingswan copy@pdby.co.za @wallflower_hippie visuals@pdby.co.za @gigi.janos multimedia@pdby.co.za @romanfigga layout@pdby.co.za @leahgram98 webeditor@pdby.co.za

Tips can be sent to news@pdby.co.za or @pdbymedia on Instagram.

Letter policy PDBY appreciates that freedom of speech is an inalienable right enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic South Africa. We encourage our readers to engage in discussion and debate on issues that affect them through letters to the Editor, comments on our website, tweets, or posts on Facebook. We ask our readers to keep the following in mind: 1. PDBY will not edit letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts in any way.

2. PDBY will label letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts as opinion. These do not represent the views of PDBY in any way.

3. The PDBY editorial must approve letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts before they are published.

4. PDBY will not publish letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts that are defamatory, or libelous, or that contain offensive content.

5. PDBY reserves the right to practice discretion when publishing letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts.

6. PDBY reserves the right to publish any content we receive unless the sender specifically requests otherwise.

7. PDBY reserves the right to retract a letter, comment, tweet, or Facebook post after it has been published.

8. PDBY will not accept responsibility for any consequences the author of a letter, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts may experience as a result of the letter being published.

9. PDBY will only publish letters between 150 and 200 words.

10. PDBY will not publish letters unless the writer confirms their full name, student number and contact number. PDBY will not publish this information, we need it for our records.

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

6 April

2020

News | 3

NSFAS allowances during Lockdown

A

Nokwanda Kubheka

UP prepares to resume semester

Image: Siora Photography, Unsplash.com

Jameo Calvert

T

he University of Pretoria has stated that academic activities will resume on 20 April. Rikus Delport, university spokesperson, told PDBY that the university is committed to ensuring that all its students complete their academic year successfully, he emphasised that in line with the nationally declared lockdown period, the university will resume all academic activities on 20 April 2020.

“Should it not be possible to resume contact lectures when the university re-opens, we plan to continue the academic programme by teaching online until the university’s normal functioning can be resumed”, Delport added.

In explaining how the university intends on assisting students who doesn’t have access to adequate electronic devices, Delport said that “the University’s Executive is currently working on plans to support those students who currently do not have access to electronic devices and will send out a notice as soon as everything has been finalised.” The university has also stated that it is working with Telkom, MTN, Vodacom and Cell C to provide “zero-rate ClickUP data”, to assist students who need to access the internet from

their homes. Delport added that “the discussions are already well advanced and will zero rate a number of websites that student use regularly for study purposes, including but not limited to ClickUP (Blackboard), the UP Library website as well as student and staff portals”.

In order to assess the preparedness for online learning, several entities, including some faculties and the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, are running a large scale pilot study in four faculties to test the new Online Student Feedback on Teaching Survey (SFTS), Delport explained that the purpose of this pilot study is to test the new system. He emphasised that normal ITS requirements before full implementation applies and that the study will not impact students without gadgets or data negatively.

In an email issued to students, UP’s VicePrincipal for Academics, Professor Duncan also emphasised the institution’s commitment to ensuring that all its students complete the academic year successfully, in the email Prof.

Duncan encouraged students to use this time at home as an opportunity to improve their ability to learn independently and to prepare themselves for the future of work.

Intervarsity News T he University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) are all preparing for contact classes to go online for their second semester, even if the lockdown restrictions are lifted by 16 April. All three universities will be online by the end of April 2020.

University of Cape Town (UCT)

According to the UCT Deputy ViceChancellor, Associate Professor Lis Lange, student orientation about how to learn online will start on 20 April, classes will start on the 27th, and second semester exams will not take place. UCT has rolled out a survey to find out who has access to online learning, as well as assess the students’ living conditions and how that will impact their ability to study. UCT is also providing certain students with laptops for the rest of the year.

Compiled by Kendall Behr

University of Stellenbosch (SU)

Stellenbosch University SU Rector and ViceChancellor Professor Wim de Villiers said the second term will commence on 20 April, and they are “trying to ensure that all the students will have access to online learning”. The university is considering the option of holding online June exams due to the rescheduling of the three-week winter recess.

University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Wits, Professor Ruksana Osman, let students know on 1 April that online orientation starts on 15 April, and the second semester will open online on 20 April.

The students may be able to access their learning classes through their cell phones, laptops, and there is a possibility of lectures being broadcasted for students who don’t have access to online platforms. Wits has also worked with Telkom, Vodacom, and MTN to allow students to access learning sites without using data.

dhering to the instructions of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, on 27 March, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) released a statement detailing its plan of operations during the national lockdown. The statement made it clear that the lockdown will not affect the payment of allowances to students.

All NSFAS offices and the contact centre will be closed but this will not affect student allowances, appeals and the processing of applications. Instead, an alternative virtual contact centre has been set up and is accessible

from 08h30 to 17h00, Monday to Friday.

The alternative communication channels and platforms are the official NSFAS social media pages, email address, and NSFAS Connect via the official website, www.nsfas.org.za.

A UP NSFAS student said she is happy to have received her March allowance, and that allowances will continue to be paid out to students, especially those that are still in university residences. She says the allowance helps people buy data for internet access to complete assignments.

Students are encouraged to monitor their NSFAS profiles for funding statuses and updates. Students can expect to receive their allowances as usual during the nation-wide lockdown.

UP MakerSpace Centre produces 3D printed masks for COVID-19 Susanna Anbu

T

he Library MakerSpace in The Department of Library Services at the University of Pretoria (UP), is known for boasting a myriad of creative initiatives formulated by individuals with innate technical ability. Now, the MakerSpace has been tasked with producing 3D printed visor frames for facial shields used by health workers who are testing and treating members of the public for COVID-19 in the Gauteng province.

Netcare appealed to individuals who possessed 3D printers in the Gauteng region to assist with the initiative. The print setting for the model were supplied and it was requested that after a trial of printing ten masks, a Google form be completed to enable a Netcare ambulance to collect the masks in the specified area.

Isak van der Walt, Manager of Digital Scholarship & Innovation Digital Services & Systems at UP’s Department of Library Services, was tagged on Facebook by colleague who had requested his assistance for the initiative. “I knew we have the capacity to do this, and wanted to make the contribution,” he explained. UP’s TuksNovation, led by Anea Burk le Roux, is expected to aid in additional printing as demand starts to accumulate. The call for printing of the visor frames was open to anyone who possessed a 3D printer, and lived in the Gauteng region.

In order to conduct a faster printing process, van der Walt opted for an open source model of

the frame that was supplied on social media by Netcare. The standard model allowed the center to print a frame within an hour, contrary to the typical two hours it takes to print.

The material used to print the frames is Super Polylactic Acid plastic, a type of non-toxic plastic that is cost effective and versatile. The trial print run conducted on 29 March yielded eight sets of frames. Sean Kruger, one of the MakerSpace coordinators, ascertains that “with our capacity we will be able to produce twenty a day”.

Van der Walt mentions that the UP MakerSpace contribution goes towards community upliftment, and believes that we have the resources in the country to help our own communities. He cites having two family members associated with the healthcare industry as the impetus for his personal involvement in the initiative. He said that we depend on health care professionals at this crucial time and that we must all play our part in helping them wherever we can.

The initiative conducted by the UP MakerSpace Centre illustrates the ease at which the demands of a problem can be adhered to and how social media plays a vital role in coalescing technical minds to formulate solutions. Members of the public who possess 3D printers and would like to aid in the production of visor frames are encouraged to contact Isak van der Walt at Isak. vanderwalt@up.ac.za.

The UP MakerSpace centre has boasted a range of innovations that interweave technology and learning. The printing of 3D ticks for the Faculty of Veterinary Science, replicas of the Homo Naledi skull and lion teeth imitations are a few projects conduct at the MakerSpace.

Advertise with

Contact: Carel Willemse carel.willemse@up.ac.za

4 | Features

6 April 2020

Food-trucks and food security at UP Stephanie Cookson

S

ome UP students consider the 2018 SRC’s promise to have R10 meals sold from food trucks on campus a failure, or a tactic for winning the 2017 election. However, the project is still active, and has been progressing under the 2019 and 2020 SRCs, although work still needs to be done, some students still have hope for the food truck initiative.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Witwatersrand have published studies in the last two years, concluding that over 50% of their students are vulnerable to food insecurity or have suffered academically due to hunger. “In 2018/19 we conducted a scientific study to determine the extent to which we have food insecurity among students. It was evident […] that some students can only afford one meal per day, others two and so on,” said Professor Themba Mosia, the Vice-Principal of Student Affairs, Residence Affairs and Accommodation at UP. The 2018 SRC’s ‘food trucks’ initiative was aimed at addressing this issue at UP. Under the presidency of Kwena Moloto, the SRC “managed to have council vote on the fact that they wouldn’t be increasing food prices” at the end of 2017, according to Moloto. “That was our first real jab […] at trying to tackle the issue of food insecurity,” he explained. The following year, the SRC pushed for the food truck initiative, which hoped to sell R10 meals on campus. Moloto explained that the meals would include “essentially a student’s daily calorie needs and vitamin needs […] in a single meal”.

Students voiced concerns when the initiative appeared to have halted by the end of the 2018 SRC’s term, however, the project is still underway, under the 2020 SRC. “One of the issues with the whole student government model is that SRC has a year to implement various projects, and because of bureaucracy within the institution, it generally takes longer than one year to deal with structural issues,” said Moloto, on the difficulty of completing such a project in his term. Although no food trucks materialised in 2018, groundwork was laid by the SRC in the form of funds being made available for 2019’s SRC. “Structurally it takes quite a long time to push through programmes so unfortunately my SRC took the first step […] but in the following year it didn’t have any power to continue that fight and so we were really relying on the 2019 SRC to then continue the fight,” said Moloto.

One of the structural issues Moloto’s SRC encountered was the meal card system for students in residences. With money credited to these cards from the university, using them at food-trucks would mean “the money that [the university is] putting in is leaving this university ecosystem,” through the food-truck suppliers, explained Moloto.

“We worked closely with the 2018 SRC to conceptualise the food trucks project that would provide affordable meals to students. Notwithstanding the resource constraints, the food drives gathered an impressive momentum in 2018 and continued in 2019 through the SRC and many university operational departments and faculties,” said Prof. Mosia. After failing to yield positive results from a fundraising program to purchase trucks, funding was attained through TuksRes. Two trucks were purchased with these funds, and are currently operational, “relieving at [least] some of the residences where dining halls have been renovated, or where there are inconveniences to students [receiving] their meals,” said Prof. Mosia. These trucks are also operational at some of the campus events in order to generate income, according to Prof.

Mosia.

The food trucks form part of the university’s SNAP Program (Student Nutrition and Progress), which the SRC works to bolster

tr

us

Ill

n:

io at

e

Sa

l ne

lu

Zu

and help the university achieve the “ultimate goal of Zero Hunger at UP,” says Prof. Mosia. Since 2019, the SRC has built upon the foundations laid by the 2018 SRC. “[Moloto] basically got the concept through, and then when I took over we were looking at what would the logistical arrangements look like,” said David Kabwa, the 2019 and 2020 SRC President. Questions around how to provide food that is not only accessible and affordable but also healthy has been at the forefront of these logistical arrangements.

“There have been suggestions to, for example, get things such

as porridge, soups, […] foods that would be high energy so that students can concentrate but also […] that would be filling and healthy,” he explained.

Another major logistical concern for the current SRC are the legal components of the project, according to Kabwa, such as ownership and liability. “First you’d have to confirm logistics, and then […] it would be the actual output and doing all of that I don’t think is something that would come in the space of this year,” Kabwa explained, adding that “the only thing I can assure is that it will not materialise during my term.”

It has been confirmed that steel shipping containers will be used, but, according to Kabwa, there are lingering questions such as “how do we ensure that students as well as their integrity and their self esteem is protected in such an endeavour?”. In 2018, the initiative hoped to be available for all students, and that “it shouldn’t only be meals for needy students but meals that all students would see as a viable option,” said Moloto. The current SRC has made central the issue of “how we would ensure that we protect students to feel comfortable enough to come forward and express any kind of need that they have without fear of judgement,” said Kabwa.

Looking forward with regard to the role of the SRC in addressing food insecurity among students, both Moloto and Kabwa emphasise the need for projects that continue in the SRC despite the annual change in power during elections. Moloto said that SRCs should adhere to the approach many student councils in the United States follow, where “they think more long-term, they start a project and provide the [plans] needed for the following year’s SRC to continue whatever long term project they had,” as opposed to only including the space of one year in the SRC’s plan of action.

Moloto also suggested working towards UP growing its own food as an example of such a long term idea.

“It is carried over from one SRC to the next,” said Kabwa, who explained that it was due to the 2018 SRC’s briefings to the 2019 SRC that the project could continue. “I recognise that in two terms I could bring it to fruition, but what I am grateful for is there has been indeed progress made, and each SRC will have to make progress,” he added. When asked what the SRCs and university management need to improve on, to alleviate issues like food insecurity, Kabwa said that a willing SRC and a willing management are important for success, which he believes that “we have at the University of Pretoria […] it is not an ‘us versus them’ situation, we’re all one community trying to look out for one another,” he said.

Prof. Mosia explained that in light of findings from the university’s 2018 and 2019 studies, the university will be launching a healthy eating campaign after consulting with nutrition experts as part of UP’s attempt to confront food insecurity. This “remains a concern, hence the institution-wide food drives to achieve zero hunger,” he said.

“If you don’t have food in your stomach, you are not going to succeed in a highly stressful [and] highly mentally demanding space,” stated Moloto. He added that, with regard to future approaches to food insecurity among students, what needs to be considered is “how do we now ensure that students have equal opportunity to succeed inside the higher education space?”.

Navigating through misinformation and “infodemics” Feliciana Nezingu

T

he world today is characterised by easier access to information worldwide, thanks to communication and technological developments. Traditional forms of media such as television now compete with internet sources in providing information and news. This unprecedented access to information has raised concerns about the harmful consequences of an abundance of information and terms such as “fake news”, “misinformation” and “news literacy” have gained prominence.

The current COVID-19 pandemic which has sparked international concern has shed light on these challenges of misinformation and fake news. The term “misinformation” refers to false or inaccurate information. The problem was highlighted by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom, at a security conference in Munich on 2 February where he stated that the world was not just facing an epidemic but was also facing an “infodemic”. This is a term used to describe the overabundance of information available to the public, making it difficult to distinguish between fake and valid information. He added that fake news and misinformation was a cause for concern as it spreads faster than the coronavirus.

On 19 March, the monitors for freedom of expression and freedom of the media for the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe released a joint statement in which they recognised that the potential of false information can lead to “health concerns, panic and disorder”. In the past, the spread of misinformation and fake news has had various consequences around the world, ranging from hate speech and prejudiced sentiments to bigger impacts such as mob violence, like those fuelled by fake child abduction rumours circulated online in India in 2018.

The role of social media A recent study titled the COVID-19 Social Media Infodemic

at Cornell University showed that social media plays a significant role in spreading information and rumours that are not always true, and this information plays a significant part in influencing debates on public issues, especially those that are highly controversial. The study also reveals that the spread of misinformation is amplified by the tendency of individuals to seek out information that supports their arguments while filtering out information that contradicts their viewpoints or sentiments.

In 2019, a Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute described South Africans as “some of the heaviest users of social media and messaging in the world” and that about 70% of South Africans, one of the highest rates in the world, admitted that they struggled to distinguish fact from fictional information.

The prevalence of misinformation during this pandemic has led major social media platforms like Facebook to partner with global health organisations such as WHO in addressing the mass spreading of inaccurate information. Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that through such collaborations, the platform would be removing false claims flagged by health organisations. The South African government also acted to tackle this “infodemic” by publishing a regulation according to the Disaster Management Act of 2002 which criminalised the intentional spread of misinformation pertaining to COVID-19.

The regulation states that those found guilty of intentionally spreading false information may be fined or imprisoned for a period of up to six months.

A survey by Pew Research in 2016 showed that the proportion of South Africans who received their news via social media at least more than once a month were about 48%. The survey also showed that 35% of South Africans have shared political news which they later discovered was in fact false. Another publication by the organisation in February this year stated that, while lower education levels decrease a person’s ability to discern facts from fictional information, biases can play a significant role in determining the credibility of information.

People tend to share information to which they are emotionally

attached. Individuals are more likely to believe information when it is repeated and when it aligns with their attitudes and world-views.

What can we do to navigate through this “infodemic”?

In order to address the problem of misinformation, the practice of fact-checking has gained prominence, with a number of fact-checking organisations being established over the years.

One of the prominent organisations dedicated to verifying the validity of information is Africa’s first independent factchecking organisation, Africa Check. The non-profit organisation works to verify the accuracy of information widely shared in the media such as, viral WhatsApp messages and claims made by politicians such as statistics used in the State of the Nation Address. The organisation also gives guidelines on necessary skills like tracing the origins of photos through reverse image searching. Most recently, Africa Check is helping individuals to navigate through the COVID-19 “infodemic” by verifying the accuracy of viral information pertaining to the coronavirus.

With a few guidelines, individuals can improve their navigation through an “infodemic” such as the one regarding COVID-19. According to Africa Check, it is important to double-check the accuracy of information received via social media before sharing it with others. The public must check the origin of the information and ensure that the source of the claim made can be traced to a credible source. It is also advisable to be sceptical of information or messages that elicit emotional reactions such as shock, as fake messages sometimes try to manipulate people’s fears and prejudices.

It is also recommended to use fact-checking sites such as AfricaCheck.org or https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/. In addition to that, another interesting way of ensuring accurate information is by joining the What’s Crap on WhatsApp? programme which is an initiative by Africa Check, Volume and the International Fact-Checking Network. The show can be accessed on https://www.whatscrap.africa/ for instructions to access the WhatsApp Show.

Illustration: Sanele Zulu

6 April 2020

This month in entertainment history

Daluvuyo Mpuzi

The late Miriam Makeba, a world renowned South African singer, won Best Female Artist at the 7th annual South African Music awards. This would be the first and only award she would receive at the ceremony. Although she was best known for her music, she was also an actress, civil rights activist,

and a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, her most notable appearance in a film being in the critically acclaimed political drama movie Sarafina. She would later go on to win an award for Best Folk Recording posthumously at the 62nd annual Grammys alongside Harry Belafonte, for their collaborative album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba. In early November 2008 she suffered a heart attack from which she did not recover.

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, famously known as Charlie Chaplin, was born in London, England to an impoverished family. Considered a key figure in film history, he gained massive popularity with his comedic exploits in silent, and later sound, films. He dealt with a fair share of hardship

throughout his life, more so during his childhood as his mother was committed to a mental hospital when he was 14 years old. He would dedicate himself to the performing arts and participated in comedy and dancing shows. He accumulated popularity over the years, and he went on to win various awards at a multitude of events before his death in late 1977 at the age of 88.

5 April 2001

16 April 1889

This date marks the birth of William Shakespeare, a well-known English poet, playwright and actor.

Considered one of the greatest writers of all time, his individual impact on the English language and the performing arts is immense,

26 April 1564

so too is his gallery of highly praised works, including pieces such as Othello, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and a multitude of poems. Not much is known of his life as some things were not documented about him, and some documentation has disappeared with time. It is documented that he died in 1616 at the age of 52.

Kendra Connock

A

young black man sits beside UP’s own Dr Sithembile Mbete at Exclusive Books in Brooklyn Mall. His name is Phumlani Pikoli, he’s a Pretoria native and a multidisciplinary artist whose latest offering takes a look at South Africa’s young ‘born free’ generation. Dr Mbete is chairing a discussion with the author on his latest book, giving the small audience a unique insight into the thoughts and discourse that went into preparing his latest book, Born Freeloaders. At the end of the evening he scrawls a note onto the front page of my copy of the book, he says “I hope this book doesn’t bore you to death!” The reality of this book is that it couldn’t be boring if it tried, the pages are filled with philosophical musings and important questions about race, identity, and the meaning of being born free.

The novel is centred on two siblings, Xolani and Nthabiseng, and spans over one weekend in the nation’s capital city. The siblings belong to an upper-class family and their parents have strong connections to the country’s political elite. Each of the siblings’ grapple with issues that are familiar to a wide variety of readers; there are the typical adolescent issues of romance and sex, as well as more complex issues of race and identity. Many readers will be able to relate to the protagonists as they struggle toward finding approval and acceptance within themselves, and from those around them.

Pikoli crafts the siblings to be strong in their own ways but each is facing an internal struggle which colours the way they speak and act. Nthabiseng is a strong-willed and sharp-tongued young woman with a fiery disposition. As she is a social butterfly, she has a wide circle of friends spanning all walks of life. On the inside, Nthabiseng battles issues surrounding her own identity as a biracial woman who is part of the born-free generation. Pikoli approaches the question of “black or white” with grace and

The geek shall inherit the Earth

Aaron Cloete

T

eloquence having one of the characters explain “it’s not a trick question, it’s an honest one … the idea of blackness is a political category and not a fixed identity as purported by the social fiction we’re forced to be characters in”. This sentiment is echoed throughout the book as Pikoli deals with the thematic truth that members of the born free generation are expected to play certain social and racial roles, dictated by those who fought for their freedom. Xolani represents anyone who has ever sought approval from someone else, for him it is his uncle; the closest person he has ever known to his biological father.

Throughout the weekend during which the novel takes place, the siblings confront these internal conflicts within themselves as well as in social contexts where the people around them weigh in on these conflicts with their own experiences and contexts. The weekend sees the siblings, their parents, their parents’ political connections, as well as a number of the sibling’s friends in various interactions and social settings. The book encompasses a weekend in Pretoria, portraying the capital city as a vibrant epicentre for social interconnection between people of all walks of life. The novel deals with relevant and familiar issues and feels like an immersive experience to the reader, placing them in the weekend’s events. The familiarity of the book’s environmental setting is heightened by pop culture references (with nods to Harry Potter and Game of Thrones) and slang used by the young people of our country.

Phumlani Pikoli crafts real, human characters who wrestle with familiar problems and issues, in a way that that is relatable to the vast of majority of young South Africans; those who almost daily grapple with the realities and expectations of being “born free”. We may have been born free of the legal technicalities of the apartheid era, but the label of born free comes with its own identity crises and challenges to overcome, and pieces of this narrative are woven through Born Freeloaders.

1997. The day rounded itself off with a reading of traditional Japanese haiku, a form of poetry that spans as far back as the 16th century.

Day two and three were substantially more packed with things to do and see. Throughout the days martial arts exhibitions were put on ranging from Kyudo (the art of the bow) – where audience members were treated to a live demonstration of both dojo etiquette and how to fire the massive longbows safely – to Karate, and even Kendo (the art of the sword). In a special display of the Judo talents of various nationally and internationally acclaimed teams TUKSJudo was present and made an impressive showing.

Present as well were many dressed in costumes from popular Japanese anime and manga. These cosplayers were moving around the expo on all three days aiding in organisation. There were also showcases where these cosplayers presented what they were dressed as and how long they had been taking part in cosplay.

When asked by PDBY one of the most experienced cosplayers @bluepixiekimiko stated that the importance of cosplay to the Japanese culture was huge and that its popularity in South Africa could be attributed to a want to respect and honour the culture as well as the media. Other notable cosplayers present included Maoukami Cosplay who recently attended an international cosplay competition and Enya Kemp a member of the TUKS Anime

Society.

On the topic of anime, a new movie by acclaimed director Masaaki Yuasa Ride Your Wave was screened at no cost. Yuasa has been responsible for series like DEVILMAN Crybaby on Netflix and has even storyboarded an episode of the popular cartoon Adventure Time. The movie followed the story of Hinako Mukaimizu and has been described as heartfelt and impactful. This screening drove home not only how ubiquitous anime is in the Japanese culture but also how important the medium is.

On each of the days scattered throughout the mall were displays of Japanese cultural importance such as bonsai trees, Samurai armour, traditional wedding gowns and traditional Japanese art.

On the Saturday there was also a live food demonstration in which a master Japanese chef showed of how to make traditional Japanese cuisine. Also present were representatives of ICON, one of South Africa’s largest gaming expos, who were there to display memorabilia of popular Japanese magazines, action figures and games such as Yu-Gi-Oh. Despite the problems going on in the world today, the Japanese cultural expo was a heartening experience of cross-cultural outreach and solidarity. The expo will no doubt continue on in the future and presents a unique opportunity for anybody interested in Japanese culture to see authentic displays and to get involved.

Image: panmacmillan.co.za

Rising sun over a rainbow nation Aaron Cloete

O

n 6 March through to 8 March the annual Japan Cultural Expo took place at Brooklyn Mall. This expo has run for two years now and, according to the Second Secretary of Culture and Information of the Japanese embassy, Akari Watanabe, the Japanese government hope to continue on with this yearly event in conjunction with Brooklyn Mall. The expo itself consisted of many events and showcases which senior organiser of the event and head of the JET programme, Ryan Keet, described as a way to promote the Japanese culture and to aid in cross-cultural understanding. The primary aim of the event was to promote the 2020 Olympic games which were scheduled to occur in Japan this year. While this event has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the importance of an event like this which aims to promote global solidarity remains.

The events that took place at the expo were a wide range of cultural displays each showing off a different aspect of Japanese culture. The first day began with an explanation of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. This programme aims to “[promote] understanding between the people of Japan and those of other nations” according to the official information issued by the Japanese embassy and has been running in South Africa since

Illustration: Marchall Potgieter

abletop gaming includes board games, card games, and roleplaying games, that one plays with multiple people.

Tabletop gaming is quite old and dates back to when it was first mentioned in Homer’s Iliad. However, more recently, the forerunners of tabletop gaming have been Dungeons and Dragons that was founded by Gary Gygax in 1974, and Magic the Gathering that had its alpha release in 1993 under Richard Garfield. Rooting from these games, there have been many offshoots and emulators to these games, most notably Yu-Gi-Oh. The News outlet D&D Beyond has provided a rather succinct history of Dungeons and Dragons starting with its origins in the older wargames and detailing its resurgence in the modern day. The popularity of the game and in fact most tabletop games has risen over the past few years in part due to platforms like Youtube and Twitch which have launched wildly popular D&D streams. The main reason for the increase in popularity is put best by veteran dungeon master Mark Hulmes: “people want to feel connected to stuff”. That in essence is what tabletop gaming is: connection.

The hobbies associated with gaming have for very long had this stigma of nerdy guys in basements, but that time is over. As Travis Willingham, voice actor and avid D&D player, said “It doesn’t need to just be people that you think would play Dungeons & Dragons.

It’s athletes. It’s lifters. It’s crossfit people’’. Tabletop gaming has provided a place where people can express their love for something together, regardless of race, gender, creed or orientation.

The second question about tabletop gaming is: Where can I play?

Well unfortunately the answer to that question is complicated. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis places where one would usually go to play these games have closed. But in the interest of information, the nearest places to campus where you can go to play are: Outer Limits and Geek Home which run regular MTG and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments as well as being hobby shops, Protea bookstore in Hatfield who run weekly commander games on Fridays and HQ Gaming who run regular board game nights as well as trading card tournaments.

Despite how much of a physically social event tabletop gaming tends to be, there are options for online interaction. D&D Beyond provides a platform for DMs and players to share and work through the details of their campaigns while apps like Roll20 and discord facilitate online play. As for card games, Magic is playable online with MTG Arena the official Wizards of the coast game. There are also many unofficial apps out there that let lovers of the games continue on despite the necessities of social distancing. As the saying goes: “Introverts unite… separately … in your own homes”.

Born Freeloaders

by Phumlani Pikoli

Entertainment | 5

6 | Entertainment and Fun and Games

6 April 2020

PDBY’s Artists to Watch Nicola McLeod IG: @_nicolamcleod_ FB: Nicola McLeod Page

Check out her cover of “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” at the Sunburn & Wonder Festival on You Tube or check out her social media accounts for more videos. Nicola also often performs at Bar Acoustics.

LX IG: @lungelo_moyo @plus_size_mermacorn

The duo LX is made up of solo artists Lungelo and Janilna.

You can catch LX perform every Sunday at Aandklas open mic night.

Oh how the time has gone I’m supposed to be this happy go lucky kid I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted Yet I’m still caged A trapped prisoner with lingering thoughts of how it used to be I see her smile And still think of you I hear her laugh And it’s only serves as a reminder of how happy you used to make me Ain’t it crazy How the time has gone by And I still throw myself on the battlefield Ready to fight your battles Ready to make sure that you are okay Am I okay?

Was I ever ready?

Was it ever meant to be?

Kagiso Kamogelo Mabitsela

Her

Poetry Corner

In my happiness I’m reminded of you Never settled for a frown Always ready to put on your crown Spreading your joy with everyone around you Well almost everyone For my fragile heart didn’t simply break into two pieces ready to take on the world It fricken shattered And when things shatter It is beyond repair In my moments of sadness I’m reminded of how you would not go to sleep Not go to sleep till I was okay Ready to listen to my endless vents Crying out to better myself You promised to make me better And yet you watched as I cried for hours on end Oh how I remember seeing you for the first time How I told my friends that one day I will call you mine And how I remember the last day we were together How I looked into those beautiful brown eyes And knew it would be the last time I will ever have that Have that monumental privilege So thank you I needed to grow Now it’s time I make her happy.

Poetry submitted by UP students to PDBY. You can submit your poetry to editor@pdby.co.za if you would like to be featured in the PDBY Poetry Corner.

Pssst...

Hi hi (coughs twice for dramatic effect). Yes, Pssst… is still around. Pssst… is actually feeling better than ever. Probably because Pssst… hasn’t nearly been run over by a cyclist for a while. Or maybe it’s because Pssst… hasn’t heard the words Main Gate for a few weeks.

Pssst… also hates most people, so Pssst… is enjoying the quarantine glow. What Pssst… is not enjoying however, is social media at the moment. Pssst… would politely like to point out that nobody gives a sh*t about your indulgent and horrific TikToks or game face while playing sport!?! Can we please stop with the challenges? Pssst… is begging you.

Go read a book, complete your thesis or find a cure for COVID-19. Pssst… doesn’t care. Pssst… just needs you to find another hobby. And one that doesn’t involve leaving your

house. A last bang with your significant other could actually KILL PEOPLE. So think of this as a Love is Blind experience.

This is a team effort #strongertogether.

Okay. No no no no no. Never again. Pssst… tried it. Pssst… now feels nauseous. To be honest, Pssst… just needs everyone to stay inside so that things can go back to ‘normal’. And when they do Pssst… will be there for your binge drinking and mistake making. On that note, Pssst… thinks it would be great if everyone did something stupid with their hair.

And with that Pssst… must go and make more tea. Besides Pssst… has eavesdropping to do, information to trade and rumours to spread (aka going to stare at a wall).

Pssst… says adieu and stay safe. xx

PDBY Featured Artist: BCOM Kendra Connock

B

COM is a band of young musicians from UP who are trying to make a difference in the South African music industry. Inspired by the writing style of Hunter Kennedy (Die Heuwels Fantasties) and the unique jazz-rock sound of Stellenbosch-based band Uncle Spike, BCOM is producing a new sound for the South African listener; something that hasn’t been seen on our music scene before.

When asked to describe their musical style in three words, the boys from BCOM opt for a simple explanation of “very very niiccee”. There are no airs and graces here, only passion for crafting music that can be enjoyed by all South African youths. The focus of this band is on forging a new path within our country’s music industry, a path that leads away from what they describe to be the “cliché, uninspired, and money-driven Afrikaans pop music scene”. Their weapons for dismantling this system? Their voices, their words, and their musical instruments. At any moment in their music, listeners are able to identify a plethora of well-blended instruments and genres; guitars and ukuleles are layered with harmonica melodies producing foot-stomping, headbopping tunes that are a delight to listeners. The band hopes to make its music available on streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube soon; but until then PDBY encourages you to keep an eye on the band’s Instagram page (@bcom_band) for upcoming gigs and swing by one of their shows to get a taste of their music for yourselves.

The band is not only an escape from the demands of university life, but it’s a genuine priority to these guys. They view their music as its own form of academics, and emphasised to PDBY that they have their eyes fixed firmly on making their musical endeavours a success; going so far as to say that their goal for the next few years would be to become world-famous.

Before they can reach the level of becoming world-famous, BCOM relies on the community of students in Pretoria to support them at their local shows at Aandklas and other bars in the Hatfield area. Their goals over the next few months are

TRY @UP

Cassidy Bessa and Dani van der Horst

S

poken Sessions’ mission is to provide platforms and opportunities for spoken word performers. It aims to grow a supportive community of artists and creatives around spoken word and performance poetry. Spoken Sessions is based in Pretoria. Open mic nights take place at Bravo Pizzeria every last Thursday of the month and anyone can perform, just ensure that you arrive early to sign up. There is usually a small entry fee. Bravo Pizzeria does not serve alcohol, but you are allowed to bring your own into the restaurant. Bravo Pizzeria has a wide menu with both vegan and vegetarian options. Aside from open mic nights, Spoken Sessions also hosts a first Thursday event at 012Central every

focused on playing more gigs, including hopes of playing at student events and festivals that are almost a rite of passage for student musicians, like Oesdag and Jool. The band has asked that any students who happen to catch them performing at events like these or smaller gigs, would share their music on social media to help other students hear their music. As a part of the greater student community in Pretoria, everyone has the opportunity to support local artists and fellow students who are trying to make their mark on the industry. Going to shows and sharing their music with other people can help spread the word about talented musicians like those in BCOM. Our continued support of our fellow students could see them progress from fan favourites at Aandklas, to taking the stage at South Africa’s music festivals. If BCOM could perform at any one of these festivals, their pick would be Rocking the Daisies; so remember the band’s name if you see them on the festivals’ line-up any time soon.

You can tell a lot about a band by looking at their influences, the people who inspire them to keep creating music. BCOM remains rooted in our country and musical culture, looking to fellow South Africans for inspiration. If there was one song in the history of the world that they wish they’d written, it would be Ode to Sleep by Twenty-One Pilots.

They describe the song as a “musical phenomenon” and representative of “everything [they] want to become Image: Provided one day”. What the band admires most about this song is the fluent switches between different genres, as well as lyrics and sound quality which are “simply out of this galaxy”. The influence of this song can be seen in the band’s personal recommendation of one of their songs to listen to if you’ve never heard their music before. The track Specials showcases the band’s ability for musical diversity, both in genre and in use of multiple instruments.

BCOM is a band looking to make their mark on the South African music industry, filling a gap where unique, honest music is needed. Keep an eye on the band’s social media for updates regarding new music and upcoming gigs and make an effort to support our local UP artists – you never know where they might end up.

Spoken Sessions

month. There is usually no entry fee, but this may change depending on who is performing. First Thursday sessions centre around established artists. Both events offer a great alternative way to spend an evening with friends. It is also a great opportunity to get your voice heard if you are a performer.

Spoken Sessions hosts other events aside from first Thursdays and open mic nights, but these occur on a less frequently. It is best to check out their social media accounts to stay on top of what is happening and to take note of important performance related information.

IG: @spokensessionsza FB: Spoken Sessions

6 April 2020

Fun and Games | 7

THINGS TO DO DURING LOCKDOWN

Start a journal and write about whats happening

1.

The mundane aspects of everyday life in isolation can distract us from the fact that we are living in unprecedented times.

Now is an excellent time to start a journal and write about what is happening not only in our country, but around the world at this time, so that you have a record to look back the finer details of life in lockdown once all the chaos has passed.

Cassidy Bessa and Kendra Connock

S

2.

taring at your calendar seems a little more daunting these days as the lockdown looms over the next few weeks.

As millions of South Africans settle into some sense of the ‘new normal’ consisting of being confined to one’s home, PDBY has put together a list of things to occupy some of your newly acquired free time. This list is not exhaustive and, if you happen to try any of these suggestions, or you have an activity you think should be added to the list, be sure to tag @PDBYMedia on social media and use the hashtag #ThingsIMadeDuringLockdown or #ThingsIDidDuringLockdown.

5.

Obstacle course

Most people already know their homes like the backs of their hands and the prospect of being confined to them for the next while can seem suffocating.

It’s important to stay active during this time, so why not try setting up your very own obstacle course in your house or garden?

Find ways to make your home landscape more interesting and get your blood pumping at the same time.

Colouring in is a great stress-relief and can help ease your anxiety around current affairs, and can also unlock your creative side. Crayons, pencils, markers, whatever your vice is, now is your time to try out something new. If you don’t have a colouring book, head on to Instagram and follow these accounts to get some free colouring pages that you can print out and colour: @ Valfre, @ambivalentlyyours and @ togethergallery.

They have a variety of different art styles for everyone to enjoy.

7.

Although we may not be able to make direct contact with those around us, there are some ways we can stay connected.

Drop a friend a message to check up on them every now and then. If you have a door or window in your house that people outside can see, leave a happy or encouraging message on it to spread a little bit of joy to someone who might need it.

To keep in contact with friends, try a group FaceTime call (for IOS users). If you are not an IOS user, you can use Whatsapp video call or the ZOOM app (these options work for IOS users too). Whatsapp video call only allows you to speak to three people at the same time, so if you are interested in having a larger hangout, ZOOM is a better option. If you would like to have a more interactive hangout, try the Houseparty app. It is free and offers fun activities like the Head’s Up game and other trivia games. It is also a good alternative video call tool if you do not want to use the previously listed tools.

Illustrations: Kayla Thomas, Giovanna Janos and Leah Rees

9.

Sustainable selling

6.

10.

Drawing/ Painting

Research a topic

Beginner musicians Another skill you could learn during this time is the basics of a musical instrument. Youtube has tutorials that will make you feel like you’re in a real music lesson, or you could opt for apps like SimplyPiano, Yousician, and UberChord (all free) to start you off on the right note and perhaps ignite a passion for playing a musical instrument.

11.

Being forced to stay home is a good time to explore your artistic talents by trying your hand at drawing or painting or, if you’re already an artist, enjoy spending this time creating masterpieces!

Youtube is a great place to find artistic inspiration and instructional videos. Beginner drawing tutorials, or a Bob Ross painting tutorial is a good place to start. You may even find a new hobby to continue once the lockdown is over.

3

We all have clothes in our cupboard that we no longer wear. Now would be the time to make a bit of cash and create an Instagram page where you can sell some of your lightly worn clothes. You can start with a minimum price and then allow people to bid in the comments.

If you need help thinking of a way to start a page, follow @ shopnicolascloset on Instagram to get a few pointers and tips on how to sell your clothes. There are also lots of other Instagram pages that sell clothes from which you can get inspiration. You can even alter some of the clothes to make them even more fashionable. And if you don’t want to sell your clothes, consider altering some of your older pieces. Embroidery, dying and adding prints are fun ways to change up your look. Just keep in mind that you will only be able to send these sold items out after the lockdown.

Lockdown is a great time to read up on something you’ve always wanted to know more about. Download some podcasts, find some explanation videos, and look up some articles to get into the nitty-gritty of a topic, and come out of lockdown a little more clued up on your topic of choice.

Learn a new language

Virtual Hangouts and spreading some joy to those around you

Colouring in

8.

Knowing how to speak different languages is always a good skill to have, and now would be the time to learn a language you’ve always wanted to learn. You will probably not come out of lockdown speaking another language fluently, but you can easily pick up some of the basics. The best way to do this is through Duolingo and similar apps. Duolingo is a free app and the lessons only take a few minutes.

Meditate Meditation can be great for your brainpower and muscles. You can find free meditation guides on YouTube or the app, Headspace, has free resources to use during the quarantine period.

Take advantage of the free trial and do some meditation every day to calm your anxiety and stress during this period.

4.

Microwave recipes Panic buying has left shelves with the strangest collections of ingredients, and as the lockdown progresses, it becomes more and more difficult to come up with exciting ideas for meals.

Microwaves are a student’s best friend when it comes to cooking and there are heaps of yummy meals that can be made in them, from mug cakes to cinnamon rolls, macaroni and cheese, to a quick and easy risotto. Don’t overlook your microwave, it can pave the way to a delicious (and easy) lockdown meal!

12.

At-home yoga This is a great way to get your body moving and keep yourself fit during the lockdown. You can find free yoga classes on YouTube. You can also go onto Corepoweryoga.com where you can find many free yoga classes of different durations and that target different areas of the body.

Sport TuksYachting make Sailor crosses an ocean for peace and unity in Africa waves as newest J sports club Chrizaan Pretorius

Chrizaan Pretorius

A

s TuksYachting turns one year old in the year 2020, their rapid growth is seen in their successful representation of the #StripeGeneration. TuksYachting told PDBY that “The club started with individual students from Tuks that collectively decided that they wanted to represent the University of Pretoria in national events over a year ago as an official club”.

Since 2019, the club grew immensely in numbers and achieved a second place in the annual 2019 USSA tournament, after being beaten by the hosting university UCT. They also organised two of their own regattas, the first held at Pretoria Sailing Club and the second was a Cat Regatta at the Vaal dam in February, where they took first place in both events.

Justin Smith and Owen Diesel, both members of the club, told PDBY that “What stands out most for us about sailing is the freedom attached to it, and the community of people, you almost instantly fall in love with the sport.” They furthermore added that “Sailing does not only offer physical activity, but simultaneously develop your mental strength in unpredicted decisions”.

Moreover, if you are looking for a sport that is fun, adventurous and offers some unforgettable memories with people from different backgrounds and universities, this sport definitely offers you a chance to participate in the #UPYourSportingGame.

For the most part, the sport may go unnoticed. As a matter of fact, many individuals in the club have achieved Youth World rankings such as Stephanie Goodyer, who placed 20th in the Youth Sailing World Championships in Poland in July 2019. Jonathan Ham also recently participated in the 2020 Cape2Rio race where his JM Busha 54 team achieved first place monohull and third place overall.

In any event, the sport is easily explained as sails of a boat that deflect the wind and the boat experiences a thrust that moves it forward. Damian Muller, commodore of the club, added that their future prospective for 2020 is to equip new members to develop a love for this sport to compete in it and as added bonus, to offer students a break from their studies. The sport in short, is one that has a significant impact on all who dare to venture into it.

As TuksYachting continues to make waves on various levels, it hopes to expand its student base and get more boats on the water for bigger national ripple effects.“ You can join this club if you are eager to give something new a try, that will not only give you a break from academics, but also improve your mental skills [...] while having fun at the same time.” said Muller.

onathan Ham is a South-African sailor, who competed, and won first place monohull and third place overall, in the third year annual Cape2Rio 2020 race. PDBY spoke to Ham about his latest achievements, preparations and journey.

What does the Cape2Rio race entail?

It is basically a race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro over the Atlantic Ocean with many international boats competing.

Depending on the wind, it can take up to 21 days or longer to cross a distance of about 4 500 nautical miles that started on 4January.

What team did you compete in?

My team was called JM Busha 54. We were six students from various universities in this team and sponsored by Joseph Makamba Busha of the JM Busha Investment Group (PTY) Ltd, and raised awareness of peace and unity in Africa throughout the race.

How intense was the preparation?

We basically spent the whole of 2019 rebuilding the boat from its foundations. From there it was moved to Durban in August, and to Cape Town in December, where we spent the whole December finalising everything on the boat. This ranged from simple tasks as cleaning all kitchen supplies, food stocking to installing the GPS system. It was very intense and attention was given to every small detail of the boat. Individually it was also important to stay in good shape and be healthy for the journey ahead.

How did the race go?

The first week was very light wind conditions, allowing us to only move small distances at a time. Thereafter we caught mild winds and at the end found ourselves in a tropical cyclone called Kurumi. It was a race of extreme opposites from no wind towards extreme conditions and tested all our capabilities.

What do you remember the most ?

There is so many things, from dolphins to the most amazing sunrises and sunsets. We once even had an attack of flying fish on our boat. What I actually remember best is actually the spirit of our team. Whenever we felt hopeless and far from land, we would begin to sing songs ranging from “Queen” to “Mamma Mia” and instantly the spirit awoke new physical energy and hope on the horizon.

How would you describe this journey to someone?

It is actually indescribable, something you have to live through to understand. Crossing an ocean on a small boat, with limited space and nowhere to go launches a battlefield against yourself, because it tests every aspect of your character and your resilience to overcome. It is you, your team, and your boat against the powerful force of nature.

What would you say to someone that would like to do this?

Do it, but don’t expect to come back as the same person. It changes your life, creates a whole other world out there, without technology and resources. It gets you back to the basics and it teaches you about yourself. Every person on this earth should embark on an adventure like this once in a lifetime and you will definitely not regret it.

Varsity Athletics Cup postponed Boitumelo Kokwe

T

he Annual Varsity Athletics Cup which was scheduled for 20 March has been postponed. Varsity Sports SA explained in a statement that this was due to “University Sports South Africa Athletics being suspended by Athletics South Africa (ASA) in December 2019 […] and as a result none of the USSA Athletics events for 2020 are sanctioned by ASA, including Varsity Athletics”.

This decision was made before all sporting events were cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Pretoria was to be the host for this year’s competition. The Cup annually involves eight universities.

The eight universities which were to participate this year are the University of Pretoria (UP), University of Johannesburg, NorthWest University (NWU), University of Free State, Stellenbosch University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Western Cape and Tshwane University of Technology.

As UP was to host this year’s edition of Varsity Athletics, PDBY spoke to Head of Programme at TuksAthletics,

Danie Cornelius. Cornelius explained that, “ASA was suspended by the USSA Athletics in December 2019 and was only reinstated the week before the Varsity Athletics meeting was to take place. Due to the time constraint, Varsity Sport decided to postpone the event.”

He also explained that, “the event would have been postponed in any case as the President announced the limitations of more [than] 100 people gathering at the same place at a specific time”, in response to COVID-19.

PDBY asked Cornelius about his views regarding the postponement of the varsity cup. His response was, “As [of] yet, it has not been cancelled but only postponed and will this be reassessed in April by Varsity Sport and the USSA National Executive Committee community (NEC) as per the guidelines set by the SA government relating to the COVID-19 pandemic”.

According to Cornelius, following the regulations introduced by President Ramaphosa to curb COVID-19, which include the national 21 day lockdown, and the banning of a gathering of 100 people or more, there is a possibility of the Varsity Cup being rescheduled to another date later in the year.

TuksUltimate throwing the fun into a serious sport Chrizaan Pretorius

T

uksUltimate is one of the many sports offered for the #StripeGeneration. Correspondingly, it is a sport that draws attention when students hear about this interesting phenomenon, involving the traditional “Frisbee”. Edna Stander, who leads this dynamic team, told PDBY that “Ultimate is known internationally as an International Olympic recognised sport and quite popular in countries such as the USA and Netherlands”.

TuksUltimate was established in 2014 with a proper student foundation and is currently working on expanding its student numbers.

As a less popular sport in South Africa, they still compete in tournaments such as the Gauteng Summer League and Rocktober against various universities ranging from Stellenbosch, UCT and the University of the Free State.

They are also regular contributors to the annual RAG of Hope day. The team names range from Disk Hazards, Altitude and Rangers competing in these various events.

Marco le Roux and and Naldo le Roux, two members of TuksUltimate added that this is a great sport in all aspects.

After Marco accidentally stumbled upon it, he could not stop his fuelling passion for this sport. TuksUltimate told

PDBY that “Absolutely no equipment is needed, except a disc and a few cones, which makes it very accessible to everyone.”

The sport has seven players on each side within mixed gender teams where you must get the disc into the defense’s end zone to score a point. There is no referee, which also makes it a sport based on individual honesty and communication.

Ultimate is known for its “Spirit of the Game”, which contributes to the universal feeling around teams when they compete against one another.

Naldo told PDBY that “It is completely different than other sports, since there is always a friendly atmosphere between players and a high-level of respect”. Ultimate certainly is a sport that stands out above others and involves continuous development of communication skills.

As a sport that is not widely known by most students, Stander told PDBY about their vision for 2020,“We hope to give more students the chance to explore this sport, since it is a completely different experience than other sports and costs to gear is minimal, which makes it accessible to a wide variety of students”. TuksUltimate offers the perfect experience to join a team and become part

of the diverse arrays of sport at the University of Pretoria.

After all, “Frisbee” as it is known by most students is clearly not just a fun activity, but an opportunity to engage with a sport on a more serious level and to #UPYourSportingGame.

Illustration: Cassandra Eardley

30 000 people read the print version of

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

visit www.pdby.co.za for ad rates