8 November 2021 Issue 12 Year 83

PDBY

8 November 2021

Year 83 | Issue 12

yourcampusnews.

Winner of photography competition: Cassandra Eardley

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Javett UP exhibition: Handle with Care!

TuksRes hosts Academic Excellence Awards

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Photo: Cassandra Eardley

Graduate makes blankets to cover tuition

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Ending friendships in university

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The music journey of Senna-Marie

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8 November 2021

2 | From the Editor

PDBY Media Copy: CJ Barnard Maryke Steynvaart Lise le Roux Nondumiso Mntambo Ntokozo Xulu Ndinae Ramavhoya Tiara Joseph Layout: Duane Kitching Kara Olivier Bellinah Zwane Kendra Dean Multimedia: Tshepang Rihlampfu Cletus Mulaudi Cassandra Eardely Madeeha Hazarvi Masehle Mailula Ruth Versfeld Elma Akob Vice Mkansi Nikhila Moodley Social Media: Maria Lehoko Oratile Kgofelo

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8 November 2021

News | 3

Javett UP:

UP Whale Unit’s Annual Whale Survey:

Handle with care!

results and future prospects Image provided

Susanna Anbu

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he University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute’s Whale Unit conducted its 42nd annual aerial survey that sought to monitor populations of the southern right whales along the South African coast. The survey was undertaken between 3 to 5 October, with the flight path extending between Nature’s Valley to Muizenberg.

The survey entailed observing and counting the prevalence of southern right whales through aerial photography. Using the photographs, the unique callosity patterns on the heads of females were recorded. The survey was conducted for 17 hours over a span of three days. At the end of the survey, a total of 32 adult whales without accompanying calves and 191 females-calf pairs were recorded, which culminated in a total of 414 southern right whales in the coastal stretches. The area between De Hoop Nature Reserve and Walker Bay showed the highest density of female-calf pairs.

The numbers recorded in 2021 showed a marked increase from prior years. However, the lower number of unaccompanied adults pointed to the fact that non-calving southern right whales were not undertaking migration towards the South African coast, as per the norm.

Following the completion of the survey, the photographs are analysed to fine-scale the identification to individual whales. This consensus is compared against the repository of the Whale Unit’s national southern right whale catalogue compiled through prior surveys. The identification is compiled using a computer assisted image recognition system coupled with a final whale eye match in the photograph. This analysis allows scientists to determine which females have calved in the year, the time of gestation, their movement patterns and reproductive success. This allows close

and accurate monitoring of the recovery of the South African population of southern right whales. The Whale Unit confirmed that there has been a 6.5% increase in recovery rate of southern right whales following the international outcry against whaling.

The sightings and subsequent analysis help to investigate possible causes and accompanying solutions to dwindling populations along the coastal stretch.

During the week of 18-22 October, researchers from the Whale Unit have deployed satellite transmitters on four adult female southern right whales. This will facilitate the tracking of the whales’ migration and feeding behaviours. The surveys conducted in prior years showed a marked decrease in reproductive success and body condition, alongside modified foraging and migration behaviours. Such changes have translated to lower prevalence of southern right whales over the past decade. The main food source that southern right whales feed on is located many kilometres away from the location at which they nurse their young. Owing to this, southern right whales are deemed “capital breeders”, as the level at which they undertake adequate feeding dictates the success of their migration and calving.

The Whale Unit has ascertained that there has been decreased food availability for the southern right whales, which necessitates the importance of identifying these feeding grounds to facilitate oceanographic changes that can alleviate the food shortage.

This identification of the feeding ground was thus undertaken through the tagging of the four female adult whales. The tags provide consensus on the location of the individuals, as well as their feeding and migratory patterns. Based on the success of the pilot study, the Whale Unit hopes to deploy 30 more satellite transmitters over the course of the next two years.

Accenture Education Trust STEM scholarship opportunities for 2022 Mothusi Mokalane

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he Accenture Education Trust (AET) has opened its applications for the 2022 scholarship for students studying technology-focused degrees at selected universities. Accenture believes that the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic have further amplified the explosion of cloud-based technology solutions, and therein lies a significant opportunity for South Africa to build the capabilities of its youth. Through this, the potential of this lucrative industry can be unlocked, at both a local and global level; and provide much-needed skills to support a trajectory of strengthened economic growth. Accenture is offering bursaries to deserving students in a technology-directed study with an average of 65% or higher, which is higher than the NSFAS qualifying threshold.

The overall package for the AET scholarship includes tuition and related expenses such as books, registration, meals, fees, accommodation, and laptops, for the duration of the studies. The scholarship currently covers the following eight universities: University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape, University of the Witwatersrand, University of KwaZulu Natal, Rhodes University and Stellenbosch University. The scholarship also covers postgraduate students – it rolls over to Honours, provided the requirements are met, one of them being an average of at least 65%. This includes students who were covered by NSFAS in undergrad. Zanele Sekano, AET Project Manager, explained that the scholarship is not repayable.

Provided that the holder of the scholarship continues within the course initially funded and maintains the pass rate, the scholarship is

renewed annually until Honours level.

Sekano said that “2020 brought us a global pandemic that has exacerbated our already fragile state of meagre growth and its consequent social impacts”. She added, “With growing poverty, rising unemployment and persistent inequality severely constraining our prospects of economic recovery, South Africa needs collaborative solutions to help shift the tide in a different direction”.

According to Sekano, beyond the financial support, the scholarship is structured to provide holistic support to students. As a bridge between university and industry, the scholarship helps students create a network with students from other institutions and get an entry into what Accenture does for clients and the technologies that Accenture have developed over the years. Ideally, the primary objective is to have the student join Accenture after their studies and the program supports the preparation thereof. Sekano further said, “There is also an opportunity to start businesses should a student decide to go that route”. Sekano also explained that it is important for South African students to apply because the scholarship provides more than financial support – the immersion into different parts of the Accenture business through the annual two-week vacation program, mentorship program and other skills development offerings are what make this immensely attractive. Due to the growth of cloud-based technology solutions, it is vital that South Africa can build the capabilities of its youth and this opportunity supports these efforts by funding tech-aligned courses.

For more information, students can visit https://www.accenture. com/za-en/careers/local/accenture-scholarships-south-africa and follow the prompts to apply for an Accenture scholarship.

Photo: Ruth Versfeld

Manelisi Magoro

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he Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria has presented ‘Handle with Care’, an art exhibition of selected work from the South32 Art collection whose assembly began in the year 1994. The collection marks the “crossroad for change in South Africa from political repression to a space in which new futures could be reimagined”. It was assembled through the “revolutionary curatorial eye” of South African artist, Kendell Geers, who is now based in Belgium. The title of the exhibition is borrowed from ‘Handle with care’ (1994), which is the work of artist Kagiso Pat Mautloa who is based in Johannesburg. The phrase ‘handle with care’ is associated with the idea of fragility and delicacy evoking the need to exercise caution. ‘Handle with Care’ is a timely exhibition “in a world that is collectively experiencing the uneven effects of COVID-19, the administration of Care has become even more crucial… in prioritising Care, we appeal for a just society”.

‘Rituals of Self-preservation’ is the first of four themes making up the exhibition. “The exhibition title’s instruction for us to care does not imply responsiveness only to that which is external to us… but reminds us also of our need to internalise such care, through rituals of self-preservation, and a sensibility and commitment to that as a way of being in and of the world” reads the opening message of the section. The three themes ‘Dreamscapes, Construction of Masculinities and Abstractions’ explore the subjective landscape of dreams and the symbolic conceptions about spirituality, the unconscious, the cosmos and imagining; reflects on the genderedness of power and the legacy of colonialism on the construction of masculinities in the context of South Africa; and address the question of abstraction within twentieth-century modernist and contemporary art from South Africa, respectively.

Javett-UP celebrated its second anniversary on 24 September, however, the display of the works and artefacts at the centre is a year-round celebration of their heritage.

The events and public programmes hosted during Heritage month include: - Afrikaaps (2010) film screening and discussion session with the director, Dylan Valley.

- A curatorial dialogue with Gabi Ngcobo (Curatorial Director at the Javett-UP Art Centre) and Danielle Oosthuizen (Public Programmes) - A musical performance of Willem Boshoff’s Concrete Poetry Kykafrikaans. The performance had music by Jaco Meyer, performed by the voices of the Vox Chamber Choir.

Alongside ‘Handle with Care’ are majestic exhibitions; ‘Interfacing New Heavens’, ‘Word Woes’, and two gold exhibitions: the Mapungubwe Gold Collection and the Id Ashanti BarbierMueller Gold of Africa Collections that also touch on the themes of African and South African history and heritage. “Interfacing New Heavens investigates indigenous knowledge systems and technologies. It also touches on the way we move forward and create the epoch we live in. Word Woes is concerned with language, and some works in particular deal with the inclusion and exclusion of certain communities. The National Treasures: Mapungubwe Gold Collection includes artefacts that are a cornerstone in the view of our heritage both domestically and internationally”.

Javett-UP hosts diverse events and programmes. including workshops for teachers and students interested in Art Education, Language, History or Design and Technology, and dialogues and tours of the exhibitions. Guests can book at bookings@javett.art and follow their IG handle: javettup for snippets of art and details on upcoming events. The exhibition explores our rich history and how it shapes our present, how we can preserve the self in the present and reimagine the future. It is a sight worth seeing!

8 November 2021

4 | News

Tiger Brands motivate UP students through Plate4Days

Intervarsity News University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

Alumni billionaire launches vaccine development project in SA. Former Wits student, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, who holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine, has launched a R3 billion project that aims to build capacity for advanced health care in Africa.

The vaccines to be developed will be for COVID-19, cancer, and infectious diseases.

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

UJ conducts research about gender differences and the polls.

South Africa has 2.7 million more women than men registered to vote in 1 November’s local government elections. That’s a difference of 11%, and reflects a trend first identified in 2006, suggesting that women have a stronger commitment and intention to vote than men.

Tumelo D Lesufi

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tudents have a responsibility towards their studies and the remainder of the other responsibilities tend to come second best. Amongst other imperatives that define a student’s life is food. Lack of food can be a barrier to a student attaining their degree, particularly at this time of the year when some students have run out of credits to buy food in res. This period of the year has been termed Ramadan because it coincidentally comes at the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting.

In 2008, Tiger Brands established a flagship program called Plate4Days, aimed at providing nutrition to university students across the country’s public universities. Universities that benefit from this program include: Nelson Mandela University, University of North-West, University of the Free State, University of Johannesburg, University of the Western-Cape and Witwatersrand University (which has the largest number of beneficiaries with 1138 students). The University

of Pretoria has teamed up with the leading food and beverage company through the Student Nutrition and Progress Program to give nutritional support to 500 students for the next year. Initially, UP had a total number of 250 beneficiaries and the program has allowed the university to provide double that number.

Tiger Brands provides a hamper containing popular brands to sustain students for a month. The hamper includes the following food items: Morvite, Ace Quick Super Maize Meal, Tastic Rice, Fattis and Monis Macaroni, KOO Chakalaka, KOO Mixed Vegetables, KOO Baked Beans and Black Cat peanut butter. The aim of the program is not to relieve the financial burden of tuition and books, but help reduce the stress of lacking food for the month. The program is for students, and the name itself was inspired by student challenges and their lingo. Plates refers to the plates of meals that students will get out of the hamper and “4Days” is derived from students’ colloquial language referring to the many days the hamper provides.

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Student march calls for suspension of UNISA student accused of sexual harassment

On 4 November, a number of students from various academic institutions gathered to demand the suspension of the President of the National Student Representative Council (NSRC), who has been accused of sexual harassment. The march followed months of what the students have deemed inaction on behalf of UNISA. Following this gathering, UNISA released a statement on 5 November saying that the President of the NSRC has been suspended, on a precautionary basis, until the matter has been resolved. The disciplinary proceedings are set to take place on 15 November.

Up until the release of this statement, no progress into the investigation had been publicly released by UNISA since July.

The process of investigation cannot be reviewed as the sexual harassment policy in place at UNISA is not available to the public.

Compiled by: Tumelo Lesufi and Leah Rees

Graduate makes blankets to cover tuition Mothusi Mokalane

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arabile Mashigo, a BA Law graduate from UP, established a small business, Cozii Lifestyle, after dropping out of his postgraduate studies because of a lack of funds. Cozii Lifestyle is a blanket making business that Mashigo started after being taught how to make blankets by his Tuks Ekhaya student residence House Guardian, David Raats, and his wife, Nicolette Raats. Mashigo says that after recognising the unemployment, crime and substance abuse crisis in his community in Pretoria West, he saw it fit to rise with others. He works with young people and shows them the ropes of blanket-making. He currently employs four people. “My hope is to at least employ 10 people by the end of the year, and have the number rise up each year as we reach more South Africans”, said Mashigo.

In July, influenced by the wishes of his late brother, who was murdered in their Pretoria West community last year, Mashigo decided to start the #Coziiblanketdrive. The aim of this drive is to get as many people as possible to buy blankets for the homeless.

“My brother’s wish was to see the people of his community saved from all the socio-economic challenges we face, and it is rather ironic that it was the same challenges that ended his life. It is his death that influenced this drive”, stated Mashigo.

Mashigo told PDBY that he has been trying to get sponsorship

from corporate and local businesses for the drive, but to no avail.

“The only form of sponsorship that we have been getting is from our customers buying two blankets and leaving one for the drive”.

Mashigo urges the UP community to contribute to the blanket drive.

He said, “It would be great to see UP assist in keeping our people on the streets warm during this harsh winter”. Mashigo further indicated that, with the help of their partners, Help a Homeless Homie, the drive was a success, as they were able to donate 56 blankets to the homeless in Johannesburg.

Mashigo says that he hopes and believes that his entrepreneurial initiative will help raise enough money for his tuition to complete his postgraduate LLB studies. Mashigo has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. According to Mashigo, “before I started making blankets, I used to run a small cycling business whereby people in my community would pay me to run errands for them for a fee”. Seeing that it was Pride Month, and being a member of the queer community, Mashigo said that he hopes that his business will one day grow and be run by queer people and women. “I believe in the power of women, hence now my team is made of women and most of my customer base is women. I once read that when you empower women you empower a nation. And that is what I want Cozii to do for women; empower them”, said Mashigo. Mashigo went on to state that “I do not want Cozii to be like one of these South African corporate businesses that just inserts pride colours on

their profiles during pride month and still not do anything for the community. I want Cozii to lift and protect queer people”.

Due to the traction and attention that Cozii has garnered over the past four months, Mashigo has been approached by private law firms that will be funding his 2022 studies – SEESA (Pty) Ltd and one more firm that cannot be disclosed at the moment. “I am deeply grateful to them and so many others for this opportunity”, stated Mashigo. Cozii Lifestyle is also doing great for a small business started during a pandemic. “Cozii has been turning a profit and is now allowing us the platform to branch out into clothing and homeware for Autumn/Winter 2022”, explained Mashigo.

Cozii blankets price ranges are: a 1.5 metre blanket is R230, 2 metre is R260, and 3 metre is R300. Blankets for the drive are sold for R230. Customers around Pretoria are guaranteed free delivery. For those in other areas, a R60 additional delivery fee is charged.

For purchases, customers can order on the following platforms: WhatsApp – 079 669 1017; Instagram and Twitter – @coziilifestyle.

More information is available on the website: https://cutt.ly/ZnyxwqL

8 November 2021

Banjul Charter: 40th year celebration!

Manelisi Magoro

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1 October marked 40 years since the adoption and ratification of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights 1981 – 2021 publication. The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) at UP collaborated with the Human Rights Institute of South Africa and the South African Human Rights Commission on a virtual event to celebrate this milestone.

The event highlighted the progress of Africa’s development as far as human rights are concerned. Judge Alapini Gansou, former Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, said that the charter “[...] defied odds that Africa wouldn’t be able to do anything”. Gansou further emphasised the importance of the youth in showing an interest in human rights issues because they are the future.

In A Guide to the African Human Rights System, the Centre

News | 5 for Human Rights stated the following: “The adoption of the African Charter represents a drastic curtailment of the principle of noninterference in the domestic affairs, which was a pillar of the 1963 OAU Charter”.

The objectives of the charter are consistent with Agenda 2063: “The Africa we want of the African Union which intends on transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future by delivering on inclusive and sustainable development and by refocusing on the continent’s struggle against apartheid and attaining political development”. The adoption and implementation of the charter has changed the normative and institutional human rights landscape and it has laid a foundation for the development of soft-law standards and protocols. These serve as a guideline for states in the implementation and clarification of the rights of African people.

An example of the expansion of the charter is the Maputo Protocol that is inclusive of civil, political, economic, social, cultural and group rights, and it is the first international treaty that is inclusive of sexual and reproductive rights. A Guide to the African Human Rights System explains this as follows: “It also contains innovative provisions that advance women’s rights further than any existing legally binding international treaty. For example, the legal prohibition of female genital mutilation is prescribed as well as the authorisation of abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or the foetus”. Violence against women, child marriage, polygamy and harmful traditional practices are some of the issues addressed, as well as separate provisions for widows, older women and women with disabilities.

A press release by the Centre for Human Rights stated that the challenges encountered with the realisation of objectives include the “[...] lack of implementation of decisions and recommendations and a lack of coordination between the bodies of the African Union with a human-rights related mandate”. Key speakers further emphasised the importance of implementation and use of various accountability mechanisms and access to information in ensuring the fulfilment of the responsibilities and agenda of the charter.

Unlearn: perspectives on sex, masturbation, queerness and beyond Amukelani Makamu

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here is a lot of miseducation about sex, masturbation, queer communities and sexual issues in the student community. UP scholars that research these topics include Jennifer Kinnear on strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, KM Born on risky sexual behaviour, and David Ikpo, the Communications Officer at the Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression Unit of the Centre for Human Rights in the Faculty of Law at UP. PDBY interviewed SpeakOUT UP on the topic. UP has also put an Anti-Discrimination Policy in place to address the ‘Queer Space Collective’ of which was discussed in this article.

Student community perspectives on sex and masturbation SpeakOUT UP told PDBY that educating young people about sex, especially at a schooling level is usually seen as encouraging children to start having sex at a young age. SpeakOUT UP further explained that although that might be most of societies view, the reality is that children from as young as 10 are exposed to things of a sexual nature, from the media, tv shows, older children, and the community at large, “So it’s necessary to equip them with all the knowledge they need to practice safe sex and lay the foundation for them to have a healthy relationship with sex when they get older”, SpeakOUT UP further elaborated. In dealing with all things related to GBV, SpeakOutUP covers the topic of sex as well. They run campaigns to educate the youth about consent, setting healthy boundaries in relationships concerning sex, and overall how to practice safe and pleasurable sex beyond using protection. Additionally, because SpeakOUT UP is supported by the CSA&G, they have access to all the tools needed to inform and equip students on all things sex. #SpeakOutUP views masturbation as just another form of experiencing sexual pleasure. The negative stigma around masturbation has led people to believe that masturbation is only for people who are hypersexual and cannot control their Image: Cassandra Eardley

urges. However, this is untrue. “Masturbation is simply another means to experience sexual pleasure. Viewed in that way the stigma will eventually lessen”, SpeakOUT UP said.

SpeakOutUP simply encourages that each person makes their own decision without coercion or being swayed by societal opinions against their own will. And should one decide to be sexually active at whatever point, that they practice safe sex, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Reflections of the Anti-Discrimination Policy: Queer Space Collective According to Robert Kertzner, a researcher in the Division of Gender, Sexuality, and Health, the reason the queer community is misunderstood in most of society is that most people in society do not understand the whole concept of ‘gender-identity’. PDBY spoke to Dr Rachelle Chadwick, a Sociology lecturer at UP, about gender roles and social positions in society. Dr Chadwick said, “I think gender is a construction and a structural relation that works to disempower certain persons and maintain unequal relations of power in societies. Normative gender roles are also closely likely linked to heteronormativity and discriminatory attitudes towards those that do not identify with the conventional gender binary”. Regarding if these gender identities are attached to one’s roles in society, she explained that this relates to the ‘sex-gender’ distinction that has been an important concept in feminism. Generally, sex has been understood as biological and gender as cultural/social. This distinction has been important as a way of arguing against the weaponisation of biological difference as a justification for inequalities between men and women (i.e., arguments that women are not suited for leadership roles, politics, or higher education because of their biology and reproductive capacities). So, it’s been an important distinction.

Dr Chadwick also said that, “For me, gender is not simply an ‘identity’ but an important social structure that organises everyday life, our intimate relationships, and all facets of our labour. As such, it is not just individuals that are ‘gendered’ but types of work (i.e., think about the feminisation of care-work and domestic labour) and entire spheres of life (i.e., public/private, family/corporate)”.

The Anti-Discrimination Policy at UP aims at addressing a lot of issues around discrimination, including those of the queer community.

The UP-Queer Space Collective (QSC) includes persons, departments, and organisations at UP that aim at making the university environment more inclusive of the queer community through expression and creative writing. QSC engages in conversations about what discrimination means to the queer community at UP. This has helped contribute towards what the management of the university includes in the Anti-Discrimination Policy.

For more information on conversations of this nature, students and staff can contact SpeakOUT UP via their Instagram @speakout_up and/or Sarah Matseke from the university Transformation Office at sarah.matseke@up.ac.za

Incoming SRC Inauguration

Amukelani Makamu

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n 10 November, the University of Pretoria held an inauguration event for the 2022 SRC at the Future Africa Auditorium. Among UP persons such as the 2021 SRC, the Director of Student Affairs, Dr Madiba, Vice Chancellor Prof. Tawana Kupe, and the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal were in attendance. The 2022 SRC took their oaths during their inauguration with the assistance and lead of the Chief Justice.

During the inauguration, Prof. Kupe said the most important thing that the SRC should do is to retain the confidence of students, be fully aware of who they represent, and of what their role is. Following Prof.

Kupe’s speech, Dr Madiba said, “being in the SRC should be a mark of academic excellence and representation”. She further explained that it is important that the SRC members do not lose themselves as well as their academic excellence during their term in office.

The outgoing SRC President, Lerato Ndlovu, reiterated to the SRC of 2022 that it is important that they uphold their oaths by selflessly serving students. Ndlovu further said that it is of great importance that the 2022 SRC looks at what they want to achieve and be intentional and purposeful in their mandate. “And to the students of the University of Pretoria, thank you for trusting us as your 2021 SRC”, she added. Ndlovu further expressed to everyone that she is happy that the student that will be filling her office is not just any student, but also her dearest friend.

President elect of 2022, Thuto Mashila, shared the same sentiments. She said to Ndlovu, “not only have you been my friend, but you have been my mentor as well. You have inspired me so much, you have broken many barriers, and you have helped me overcome many fears. You have proved that basadi are capable.” Mashila added that she is looking forward to working with a proactive SRC in 2022.

Rikus Delport, Director of Institutional Advancement, said on behalf of UP that the university “welcomes the inauguration of the new SRC and wishes all members well in their new roles. As representatives of UP students, the SRC plays an important role in supporting students and assisting them as they strive for academic success.” He added that the SRC works closely with the management of the university in the interest of all students and that members are accountable to the general student community for their actions as student governors and must execute all such actions in accordance with commonly accepted principles of good governance. “The SRC needs to be accessible and prepared to go the extra mile to assist and support students and at the same time contribute towards building the University’s reputation”, Delport added.

The 2022 SRC: SRC PRESIDENT: THUTO MASHILA DEPUTY SRC PRESIDENT: STEFAN STEENKAMP SRC SECRETARY: TARIK LALA DEPUTY SRC PRESIDENT: FIKILE SIBANDA SRC TREASURER: THANDO DLAMINI FACILITIES, SAFETY & SECURITY: MASHUDU RAMASHIDZA DAY STUDENT & EXTERNAL CAMPUS AFFAIRS: LAUREN THABETHE MARKETING, MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS: CHANTELLE ZHOU POSTGRADUATE & INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS: NEVILLE MUPITA STUDY FINANCE: NOBUHLE NYEMBE SOCIETIES: SIBONGOKUHLE MAPHALALA TRANSFORMATION & STUDENT SUCCESS: THOBILE MBHELE

News Bites

UP Master’s student overcomes a stroke to graduate The Malawian-born Mitole, who holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Western Cape, enrolled in a Master of Law programme at UP in 2019. He had no idea that the path to graduation would be characterised by many trials. In the first months oh his Master’s, Mithole had lost a recently acquired laptop after a bus drove over the bag containing it. His next laptop crashed. Both devices contained unbacked-up class material. He lost his mother to cancer during the exam period and explained that he “contemplated dropping out”. COVID-19 also affected his business endeavours which financed his studies. Mitole later suffered a Lacunar stroke on 26 May. After a week of hospitalisation, Mitole was discharged to a rehabilitation centre. It was in this rehab facility that he wrote his Master’s thesis to completion and met the graduation requirements.

UP professor of law on children’s rights in the digital environment Prof. Ann Skelton, UNESCO Chair: Education Law in Africa, and UP law professor, recently dealt with a case at a school where a boy had asked a girl to send sexually explicit images of herself to him via her smartphone. They were both under the age of 18. The minor girl had done so – and unknowingly according to the law, created and distributed pornography - whilst the boy had solicited child pornography. These laws are designed to catch adult perpetrators. However, children are engaging in illegal behaviour in the digital environment, and are finding themselves entangled in a web of tough laws.

Respublica Eastwood Village offers vaccination for its students at the comfort of their res Respublica Eastwood Village has offered residents vaccinations.

Nurses went to Respublica Eastwood Village to administer vaccinations.

Students also had the opportunity to ask questions they had regarding the vaccine. Many students got their first jab of the Pfizer vaccine and the nurses made sure that all the students were comfortable and had the best experience. On 25 October, the nurses came back to administer the second jab. Many students who were skeptical the first time got the opportunity to get their first jab.

Compiled by: Mothusi Mokalane Minentle Mndiyata

8 November 2021

6 | News

TuksRes hosts Academic Excellence Awards

Top Academic Achiever, First-year Female – Kerstin Peckham (House Khutso)

Tuks Ekhaya with TuksRes Management

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Farewell to retired colleague, Marga Zeelie

n Thursday 4 November the Department of Residence Affairs and Accomodation hosted their first TuksRes Academic Excellence Awards since

2019.

The award ceremony could not be hosted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but saw its return this year celebrating the top achievers in the various UP residences.

James Louw, a House TAU resident, won the top academic achiever award with a GPA of 98%.

The top academic achiever (senior) in the female residences went to Khomotjo Manthata from House Khutso. The best overall academic performance for female residences went to Curelitzia whilst the best performing male res was House Ukuthula. In the mixed residences, OP Village performed best overall academically.

Best Improvement: Male Residences – Tirisano

Farewell to retired colleague, Lorraine Bartlett

Best Improvement: Female Residences – House Mags

Best Overall Academic Performance, Mixed Residences – OP Village

Master of Ceremonies: Lennox Wasara, Tuks FM

Farewell to retired colleague, Danele Coertze

Best Overall Academic Performance, Male Residences – House Ukuthula

SRC: Residences Awards Top Academic Achiever, First-year Male – Stephanus Kruger (TuksVillage) *absent Best Overall Academic Performance, Female Residences – Curelitzia

Top Academic Achiever, Senior Female – Khomotjo Manthata (House Khutso)

Best Improvement: Mixed Residences – OP Village

Top Academic Achiever, Senior Male – James Louw (House TAU)

8 November 2021

Defining university meme pages Lauren Harries

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any university students rely on meme pages to keep them going during the semester. These pages often provide insight into life as a university student and the culture at that specific university. However, this does not come without its flaws.

In an article from The Daily Northwestern, the point at which the university experience and culture in memes shifts to telling students how to behave. In some instances, meme pages could be implicated for potentially reinforcing toxic elements of the university. This can include perpetuating laziness or normalising the lack of academic success at a university.

In addition to this, the moderators of these pages also have to ensure that all perspectives are shared in a manner that effectively relates back to the university’s experiences and culture - making it relevant to all students. This sometimes means having to share a meme that may be considered controversial by some students yet still relevant to the general student experience.

Many of UP’s university meme pages promote a culture of “it is what it is” and the overall belief that a large majority of students are unable to be academically successful during their time at UP. This often results in students feeling as if this is the experience they should be having at university. It normalises these behaviours and views. This is known as the “sleeper effect”.

Michael Schenk, from the University of Hohenheim, wrote a journal article on the sleeper effect. In this article Schenk described the sleeper effect as a psychological phenomenon where messages from sources with generally low credibility cause opinion to change over time. This is exactly what university meme pages have the potential to do. Over time, students begin to normalise the toxic nature of university life and culture as meme pages encourage a play-hard culture with little focus on academic success.

Many students follow a university’s meme pages when trying to determine which university to attend. This is done because the meme pages are said to accurately reflect the experiences the student will have while attending that specific university.

This is not necessarily good. If university meme pages continue to promote the toxic elements of a university’s culture and the overall experience, it has the potential to cast a negative shadow over life at that university.

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This often results in students feeling as if this is the experience they should be having at university.

”

Image: Masehle Mailula

Features | 7

While meme pages can be used to promote and normalise the toxic elements of a university, they also have the potential to reverse that culture and create a more positive view of that specific university.

On a more positive note, meme pages can be used to destigmatise certain things that may be issues for the general student population.

This could include occasionally failing a test or destigmatising the stress and academic pressure students are experiencing.

According to The Daily Northwestern, meme pages can also be used to grapple with systemic injustices that are experienced on campus. This can be done by giving students a platform for them to voice their feelings and views on injustices they may be experiencing within the university.

University meme pages ultimately provide an outlet for students to voice their views and opinions relating to the university in a humorous way with a quick and easy-to-reach audience.

Because of this, the pages have the ability to work as a sort of public forum. Through the use of polls and questions on Instagram stories, the meme pages get insight into how the students are feeling about certain general university topics as well as their views and opinions on specific university experiences.

According to Mashable, meme pages are part of the university experience and have become a direct way for students to voice their opinions to school administration. The article further mentions that every generation has their own way of communicating with one another, and the current university-going generation uses memes as that method of communication.

University meme pages can be a great way for students to express their frustrations and share their common experiences. However, the pages can also promote inter-school rivalry by depicting certain degrees above others and promoting a toxic work-hard, play-harder culture. However, it must be accepted that conversations about the toxicity of university culture will not happen on these meme pages.

They do, however, start the conversation and have the potential to allow for reflection and a possible reform of said toxic culture.

Ultimately, university meme pages have the potential to be harmful. However, their supposed harmfulness does not come without some positivity as students are able to publicly express their frustrations and bond over shared experiences. This is something that few platforms have the ability to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 | Features

Ending friendships in university Kirsten Minnaar

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niversity can be a great time for students to socialise and make new friends. While this process is incredibly important, it can be just as important to know when it is time to end a friendship.

While it can be difficult to end a friendship, doing so can contribute greatly to your mental health and overall well-being.

Friendships can contribute greatly to your life. As mbg relationships explains, there may come a time when friendships “end up draining us more than they nurture us, cause us significant stress, and have a negative impact on our mental health. With those friendships, it is OK to set boundaries and even OK to call it quits. Staying friends with someone only because there is history or because you feel guilty for leaving them is a recipe for burnout and resentment”. According to Kailee Place, licensed professional counselor, at her private practice, Shifting Tides Therapeutic Solutions, in South Carolina, the common theme in working friendships is having a friend who leaves you feeling supported and cared for. “Occasionally, friendships go sour, and it’s incredibly hard to cut off a friend, but keeping a toxic friend around is draining”, she said.

“In the long run, it’s better to cut ties, and find people who appreciate and support you.”

There can be many signs that you should end a friendship. Some reasons for ending friendships can include distance, negativity, toxicity, lying or simply a change in circumstances, verywellmind describes.

As Insider explains, it is not always obvious when you should end a friendship. It might be time to end a friendship when the friendship feels like a “transaction”, has become one sided and, “you are holding each other back from getting healthy” or where you cannot count on your friend in times of need. They explain that “good friendships represent an equilibrium of mutual support”. You should also feel like you can be yourself around your friends, explains Insider. If you “feel pulled to change or hide who you are, or you feel ashamed after hanging out with your friend, it may be time to try on other friendships”.

Mbg relationships explains it can also be important to end friendships with people who do not respect your boundaries. In these relationships “[we] end up betraying ourselves by having a friend who continuously violates our boundaries. This can lead us to question our sense of self

Networking as a student

8 November 2021

and cause resentment and frustration—the opposite of what a healthy friendship should do for you”. Feeling drained after spending time with a friend is another sign that you should consider ending that friendship.

“Just because you are friends with someone does not mean that they are entitled to your emotional energy”. Mbg relationships also says that someone who is emotionally draining can also leave you feeling anxious, unheard, unsupported or disrespected. “Regardless of the reason, you are allowed to end a friendship with someone who frequently drains you of your emotional energy”.

While it can be very beneficial to end certain friendships, there is no closed list of reasons for why you should decide to do so. According to mbg relationships, ultimately, “how you feel within the friendship is a big indicator that it is time to end the friendship. It’s important to listen to how we feel and to end relationships that are not positively contributing to our personal growth and mental health. It is important to strive for friendships that leave us feeling heard, respected, appreciated, safe, and loved. There is nothing wrong with ending friendships. This is a healthy part of sending boundaries and practicing self-care”.

Photos: Cletus Mulaudi

Asanda Made

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rofessional success is a common goal amongst members of the working class. Forbes highlights the importance of the quote “no man is an island” and how it has proved to be particularly important in one’s journey to achieving professional success. This phrase emphasises the necessity of a collective effort in the process of an individual achieving professional success. According to Forbes’ article “10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career”, having strong networking channels has been one of the main contributing factors to many individuals’ successful careers.

According to Senior Faculty Student Advisor Farhana Hassan, networking is the process of interacting and sharing information with people both professionally and socially: it is creating a network of peers, mentors, professors, and industry connections that could aid in current and future career goals. As students, our university experience is centred around academics and obtaining a qualification. It is, however, also the perfect opportunity to begin one’s professional development through networking.

Students are constantly encountering potential colleagues, employers, clients, and professors with industry experience with whom they can easily exchange information. At UP, students are offered multiple opportunities to interact with others beyond the classroom. UP offers Career Services, which focuses on providing students with support and hosting various employability-related initiatives. Hassan mentioned that UP offers multiple services such as career fairs, graduate recruitment events, advertising job opportunities, specialist webinars, one-on-one employability assistance and articles related to ready-for-work and employability practices.

There are many benefits to networking, especially as a student, according to Oxford Summer Courses’ post “8 Benefits of Networking for Students”. Some of the main benefits of networking with industry people at career fairs and recruitment events include: building confidence, learning about the latest industry developments, career advice, strengthening industry connections, being noticeable and new job opportunities. Reaping the full extent of these benefits became more difficult during the COVID-19 outbreak, specifically with the shift to distant learning and remote work which forced people to remain isolated in their respective homes. The opportunities to easily network with people decreased, thereby making networking more difficult. UP took the necessary measures to ensure that most of the opportunities afforded to students were still available during this time. They have made all career fairs and recruitment events virtual, allowing students to continue to create network channels that they could use to launch their careers as graduates and in their future careers.

Networking is an ongoing process, and one for which it is never too early to start. As students who have more free time to attend various events where one can meet people, it is important to start as early as possible. Since it plays a vital role in one’s professional career, the benefits go beyond attaining job opportunities. Some of the best ways for students to network while they complete their studies include utilising the career services offered, actively engaging with relevant faculty, talking with recent graduates, and getting an internship. It is important to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the university, especially because they will no longer be available to students once they graduate.

Photos: Madeeha Hazarvi

8 November 2021

Entertainment | 9

Seven Deadly Sins by Andie Padayachee Ashleigh Pascoe

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ndie Padayachee is a local author who published the poetry anthology, Seven Deadly Sins, through publishing house, Chasing Dreams Publishing. This anthology is available via PDF, and can either be found on the link in Andie’s bio (@andienannyfine) or on Chasing Dreams Publishing’s website. The theme of this anthology follows the general knowledge of the seven deadly sins, but each sin has two to three poems that represent it, and the sins begin to seem a lot more human and vulnerable, rather than evil. The sins of

pride, envy, gluttony, lust, wrath, greed, and sloth are represented in a realistic and raw light. The sins are portrayed as a grey area, and not in the typical form of black and white.

Padayachee covers a lot of concepts that are familiar to readers. Although the poetry is specific to their personal experiences, this anthology has an aspect of universality and can be a cathartic anthology to read. The poems are long, expressive, and drenched in the meaning of what the experience of pure humanness is. This anthology explores how these deadly sins take forms in the experiences of everyday life and often present themselves in unexpected ways. Anxiety can fall under sloth;

possessive behaviour can fall under gluttony. These are thoughts that are often buried in our minds, but now they are accompanied by simple, yet beautifully illustrated words that bring them to light. Whether you regularly read poetry, or are just interested in exploring your subconscious emotions, this affordable and wellpresented PDF is something you should get your hands on.

Image: chasingdreamspublishing.com/

The music journey of Senna-Marie Jan Koketso Ndlovu

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DBY recently spoke to the amazing performer, Senna-Marie.

We spoke about her life, her inspiration, her journey in music, her writing process, and her upcoming projects. PDBY presents Senna-Marie.

For those who do not know you, who are you on and off stage?

Who am I? Gosh, that’s a big question, I don’t know where to begin. I suppose when I’m performing, I’m so vulnerable already, you know? In front of people, awkwardly worrying about whether I’m standing on my guitar cable or if I should play sitting instead or some other irrelevant consideration. Anyway, somehow within this, I find it easy to relinquish some of the social conditioning I usually feel. I become strangely comfortable in my discomfort: It’s like I have permission to be nervous, like it’s finally appropriate: I feel present, and authentically witnessed. Hopefully that says a little about who I am some of the time.

Did your upbringing play a role in your love for music?

Aw yes, it really did. A typical bedtime scenario in my home involved my dad strategically finding the middle point between each of our three bedrooms (I have two older brothers) so that when he played the songs he wrote (He’s been writing incredible songs all my life) we could all hear the lyrics. It was really adorable, we would call out requests from our beds until we fell asleep.

When did you start writing songs and playing string instruments?

I was probably about seven when I actually put pen to paper. My brothers began music classes, and they would jam together in the afternoons. I couldn’t play anything at the time – and I became so jealous. My dad had an old Learn Guitar book that he picked up at a second hand store, it had those Sunday-bangers like “Amazing Grace”, and “Blowing in the Wind”. I learnt three open chords, and wrote my first song. My brother became a songwriter too, Marvin Francis, and now we play together whenever we can.

What is the first song you wrote?

So, the one I’m about to share wasn’t my first first song okay, but my first song was a little boring if I’m honest – it was called “Rain is Pouring” and I think the whole song is right there in the title. But, my friend and I wrote a ridiculous little song together soon after, we were probably eight or so, and the other day, (blessed to still be friends) we recalled all the lyrics. It went: “Darkness through the eye / Sometimes you cannot see it / Often it makes you cry / Owoah – O”, “There’s a cat on wall / Waiting to fall / But it don’t” Many artists went through a phase before they could find their

“Darkness through the eye Sometimes you cannot see it Often it makes you cry Owoah – O There’s a cat on wall Waiting to fall But it don’t” calling. Was playing guitar your first love?

I’d like to think a calling is something that can manifest through many mediums. So to me the guitar, and more so song-writing, was a kind of arbitrary choice. I think it was one of the most immediate forms for me to use to express myself – especially for my more impatient emotions. It has to do with what I was exposed to, but I also like to draw and think in other forms. I studied Fine Arts, and so in some ways, that was a phase prior to this one. I haven’t quite learned to bridge the two succinctly, but I think the tension between them troubles me in a way that’s become quite productive. Still, I do seem to keep returning to song-writing.

A theme of nostalgia could be sensed and heard in your song, ‘Golden’, what is your song writing process?

Hmm, it’s tough to define. In many ways I reject the idea that creative moments just “arrive” in manic bursts of inspiration, but at the same time, it is rare for me to sit down with the conscious intention of writing a full song. I don’t recommend or expect this of myself anymore. I think for me it’s about building my practice to a point where I can overcome a certain creative threshold - that’s when I write something meaningful to me. Sometimes I’m in a heightened emotional state, and other times I’ve collected enough small attempts at disciplined writing; but either way somehow, eventually, without my knowing precisely when, words come to mind in a way that feels urgent and I follow them as far [as] they go.

Until I’m left with an initial artefact, usually a verse or two and some other adlibs. I don’t criticise it too quickly though, I just enjoy it for a while. Even if I discard it eventually, there’s still such fondness for the new song, and I just want to play it over and over. After a day or two, I return and begin to craft it – this part hurts a little. I reconsider the lyric and chord changes. I begin playing it to a few close people. Sometimes if they like it, I get lazy, and if they don’t I

get despondent. There’s no winning really, but eventually I return to it...again and again, if it lets me.

These are the really early moments of my process though, but it goes beyond this and that’s where it’s getting really exciting: moving into collaborative spaces, seeing how other people can add and shape my initial contribution.

What does art mean to you?

Art is like a bad smell, that I keep leaning towards. Ah ya, I think art is an absolute nuisance, it’s always bothering my conceptions of reality – sitting between compartments. Troubling my frames, reminding me of what’s left out, I love it – I really do.

Most artists keep their personal life and career from affecting each other. Your song, ‘Ordinary Man’, sounds personal. Do you sometimes write songs about your life experience?

I do, embarrassingly so sometimes. Sometimes I look back and cringe at how honest I was in a song. I’ve written songs about people close to me and I feel this urge to explain that even though it’s about them, it’s not about them. There’s [an] uncanny resemblance to them, but it’s still wrapped in my imagination.

The songs I write often come out unfiltered, and conversational.

I end up singing about the things I specifically chose not to say to someone. I guess in song, I can reimagine a context within which I feel the words can enter reality precisely because they don’t have to co-operate socially to be heard.

Ordinary Man, however, was actually one of my more general songs. I wrote it as a kind of ode to the ordinary, a defensive peacemaking with ordinariness. I don’t feel the same way I did when I wrote it, but that’s part of the song-writing process.

Who inspired your journey in music?

Ah, so many people, my father, Tracey Chapman, my grade three teacher, but Dumama and Alice Phoebe Lou, are two South African artists that have me so inspired at the moment!

What is your long goal in music?

My long goal [is] quite simple right now – I just want to play to more people, with more people, more [often] .

What can we expect from you in upcoming times?

I’ve been really lucky this year - a friend of mine, Ryan Schultze joined me to compose, produce, feature in, and record my debut Ep: Fence Sitter. He’s a pianist, singer, chronic instrument buyer, composer, and all round talented human being. We put together a four-track album (Recorded at Phantom Ship Studio), and it’s being mastered right now. It’s due to come out early next year on all the usual streaming platforms. We worked so hard on it and I really think it came together – So, I just can’t wait to share it.

Images provided

8 November 2021

10 | Entertainment

PDBY Featured Artist: Motive Thando Dlamini

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DBY recently spoke to third year mechanical engineering student Lethabo Kupayi, also known as Motive, about him, his music and what it is like being a student DJ.

When did you realise that being a DJ is what you want to do?

Growing up one of my uncles used to have virtual DJ on his laptop and that’s how I started. When I moved to PTA, I kept on playing. I met one of my friends, Rethabile, and we carried on together. And it just clicked that I wanted to deejay because I have been doing it since primary school.

Which DJs (internationally and local) inspire you?

There are a lot. Locally, it has to be LeNanza, I think she’s the best DJ in PTA, I love her. I also think Venom is great. Usually, I look out to everyone that’s made it but right now those are my favourite DJs. Internationally DJ Crazy is great. There [aren’t] a lot of huge hip hop DJs internationally, but also Black Coffee is crazy, Major League DJs and mostly all the amapiano guys that are doing crazy stuff internationally and I look up to them also.

But I am a hip-hop DJ.

What are the biggest hurdles you’ve had to overcome so far in being a musician?

There’s so many but the worst things that’s ever happened to me has to be lockdown. It messed up so much for me, life wasn’t the same and I couldn’t go out and do what I love and make people happy and dance. So, lockdown has to be the worst thing that’s happened .

You have worked with Homecoming Events, what was the experience like working an event like that?

That was really great, it was one of my biggest shows not in numbers, but the experience was crazy.

They are really professional and took care of me really nicely. You feel like a superstar there, I mean I feel like a superstar when I’m at most of my shows but that was a level higher, it feels really great. I think that was one of my happiest and favourite shows I have played. Homecoming is definitely top two shows I have ever played.

How is it performing at full clubs as a student?

It’s pretty crazy and amazing. It’s like the best thing ever. Every time I get on stage, and I see all those people having the time of their lives because of me is really special. It’s like I have the power to make people happy and it’s so great also that I’m also doing something that makes me really happy, I love it.

Which DJ would you love to work with in the future?

I’d love to work with Venom, because I really look up to him and one day, I wish I could play a back-toback set with him, he’s really great. Music wise, I’d love to work with DJ Slick. Sfarzo RT [and I] got to work on stuff but never finished that. I want to work with Lesedi the DJ also TP the DJ, they are great guys who are doing great things in PTA, I’m all about the city.

You released Love Tapes Vol 1.0 earlier this year, what inspired the mix?

There was a certain girl I liked when the year started, I never got to date her, but it was Valentine’s Day, and I made her listen and hoped she’d feel the same way but she moved away from PTA.

What can we expect next from you in terms of releasing another mixtape?

I have kind of [taken] a break from releasing mixes online. I have just been focusing more on performances and if you want to see me just come to one of my shows. I don’t really like dropping mixtapes unless it’s for radio.

Meg Norquoy on her music career Minentle Mndiyata

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DBY had the pleasure of talking to Meg Norquoy, who is a performing artist from Pretoria. In this interview Meg chats to us about her music career, how she started and how social media has impacted her music journey.

How did the name Meggs and Toast come about and what does it represent?

Well, I’ve been looking for a guitarist for a while now, and when Johan and I chatted after an Open Mic at Aandklas, we decided to play together. The name was a joke I’d decided on for my Instagram account after a night out with friends filled with horrible puns. Johan, a man of puns himself, didn’t mind being the toast to Meggs.

Who has been supporting you throughout all of this the past year?

The past year has been so tough for me, but I have always had my mom by my side supporting me and keeping me moving and the rest of my family. They mean so much to me and keep pushing me and have helped me get over some of the toughest times. and I love being a DJ but sometimes it gets really hard, and you need people that love you and my family has been able to do that.

Respublica Rising Stars Minentle Mndiyata

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At what age did you realise that music was your passion and that you really wanted to pursue it as a career?

So I think I always knew that I enjoyed music and singing from a super young age. I still remember my favorite songs from when I was in nursery school. I always toyed with the idea of singing as a career, but I never took it seriously until August 2021, [when] I was presented with the opportunity of a gig. After that first gig, the gigs haven’t really stopped, so I guess it’s only now that I’m realising: “Hey! Maybe I should do this for real now?”.

You started posting videos of you doing covers in 2017, but in 2018 you posted about finally making a video singing something that you wrote, how long did it take you to transition from performing covers to writing your own songs, and how has that helped you grow as an artist?

I loved singing along to songs all the time, but it was thanks to one of those silly assignments for a compulsory music subject in grade 9 that started my love for writing them. We got told to write a song for marks and after I figured out the first one, I started writing more and more. I think I only started singing originals on stage in my first year of varsity at the Aandklas Open Mics though.

Image provided

Image provided

happily listen to whatever I played (even if it was horrible). They’ve always supported me in music and inspired me! My dad shows my videos to anyone he meets, which can be kinda embarrassing, haha..

espublica Rising Stars is an initiative that was introduced by the Respublica Student Living Accommodation on 22 June. This segment is aimed at introducing the world to an array of talent within the Respublica residences, each week a student was featured on the Respublica_life Instagram account. The likes of Precious Nkosi from Hatfield Square, Roman Figga from Eastwood Village, and many other students were featured on this segment.

On 23 October, the Residences all came together at the Saratoga Village, a Respublica residence in Johannesburg, to witness the Battle of the Stars. This was a great opportunity for these different students as they got the chance to showcase their diverse talents in front of an audience and also got to compete amongst each other for great prizes. There were 17 stars in total, some from the Cape Town Respublica residence. A rapper from West City and a poet from Hatfield Square made it to the top 3, coming in 3rd and 2nd respectively. A rapper and a saxophonist from the Saratoga Village (Sabelo and Phemelo) were crowned the Respublica stars.

Is there any specific artist that inspires your music?

Johan and I have varying tastes in music, so our originals sound very different. I’ve been inspired mostly by Paramore’s newer albums, as well as YouTube-made artists like dodie and Orla Gartland. Johan’s main inspiration is Matt Costa. Soon, we’ll be writing songs together, so it’ll be cool to see how our songs sound in the future.

How has social media helped you grow your brand as an artist?

I’ve found that once you start playing gigs, an Instagram account helps a lot because we’ve [got] a few opportunities due to our content.

However, Tiktok trumps all apps in terms of getting content out there. So many more people see and share songs/covers posted on Tiktok. So it’s definitely helped with putting our name out there.

What do you hope to achieve in the future through your music?

Johan and I want to put our music out on all platforms and aim to do so in the coming year! We’re passionate about music and to be able to share our music specifically would be amazing. Personally, I would love to play at big festivals in the future, like Park Acoustics or Splashy, so it’s definitely something we plan on working towards!

Parents are usually skeptical about letting their children get into the arts, how did you convince your family that music was the one for you and that you could make it work?

Unfortunately in my case, skepticism was never an option for me. My mother was a musician in the 80s and my dad went with her to gigs. So my mom taught me how to play guitar and piano, and my dad would

Is there anything that you are currently working on that you would like to share with us?

At the moment we’re working on originals mostly, but we do have an online concert coming up with 11:77 productions which is super cool! It was shot at the stunning Blades Hotel, and I recommend watching their Instagram page (@1177productions ) to see when tickets go on sale!

Image: Instagram - respublica_saratogavillage

Sport PDBY Featured Athlete: TuksSwimming at the CANA African Championship -

TuksBasketball UPDATED with Liam Hayward

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iam Hayward in a TuksBasketball player and a third year BCom Investment Management student at UP. Hayward recently captained his team at the 2021 USSA Basketball Men’s Championships, and spoke to PDBY about his basketball journey.

How did you get into basketball?

I went to a small primary school so there wasn’t much sport there. However, in high school there were a couple of sports.

Initially I tried rowing but I really didn’t enjoy it. Because of my height I thought it made sense to try basketball and after that I never looked back.

What is your favourite thing about basketball?

I think basketball is the most entertaining and intense sport.

It’s [a] really fast-paced sport with a lot of scoring on both sides - I really like that.

Did you play basketball during the initial stages of the pandemic?

No. From when the COVID-19 pandemic started in March, 2020 through to the end of 2020 - I didn’t play much.

How did you cope with that?

I didn’t like it at all. I eventually got a hoop to throw some shots and practice at home - just to stay active, but it never replaced being with people and actually playing.

You captained the Tuks team at the recent SA University Basketball championships. How do you feel about your performance and the performance of the team?

We achieved the most important thing - getting into [the] Top 8. That qualifies us for next year’s Varsity Cup. I think that’s a great achievement as well considering our team was filled with mostly first years playing in their first ever University tournament. We were at a huge disadvantage in terms of experience but the boys pulled through. With my individual performance I was quite satisfied. With the team there were mistakes due to inexperience but that’s something we’ll be working on.

What are your goals for the future in basketball?

For next year I’m gunning to make the University Sports South Africa (USSA) National team, I’m really serious about that. On top of that it would be great if I could lead the Tuks-UP basketball team to a USSA win and some trophies.

What is the state of Basketball in South Africa?

From the point of view of funding in the sport it’s not great.

But things are getting better. The Cape Town Tigers are a team that’s setting the pace for basketball in South Africa. They are showing the world that we can play Basketball in South Africa.

Would you want to play for the Cape Town Tigers in the future?

Yes definitely. If not internationally I’d be happy to go there and try out.

What advice would you give aspiring players of the game?

I’d say they should just believe in themselves. Starting out I didn’t have much coordination but I just stuck with it, playing and practicing every day and through hard work I got better and better.

What would your five player all-star team look like?

Point Guard: Stephen Curry Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant Small Forward: Michael Jordon Power Forward: Lebron James Centre: Shaquille O’Neal

Samantha Randle: Bronze - Women’s 100m backstroke - 1:06.01 Silver - Women’s 800m freestyle - 9:07.95 Silver - Women’s 200m backstroke - 2:17.21 Gold - Women’s 3km open water - 37:11.35 Catherine van Rensburg Gold - Women’s 100m breaststroke - 1:12.76 Gold - Women’s 200m breaststroke - 2:36.17 Gold - Women’s 400m medley - 5:06.17 Gold - Women’s 1,5km freestyle - 17:08.04 Stephanie Houtman: Silver - Women’s 400m freestyle - 4:40.17 Silver - Women’s 3km open water - 38:23.18 Gold - Women’s 800m freestyle - 9:07.14 Christin Mundell: Silver - Women’s 200m freestyle - 2:04.60 Gold - Women’s 50m breaststroke - 32.64 Gold - Women’s 400m freestyle - 4:40.02 Gold - Women’s 400m individual medley - 5:10.80 Lizanne Viljoen: Bronze - Women’s 100m butterfly - 1:04.19 Gold - Women’s 200m butterfly - 2:19.35 Roberto Gomes: Bronze - Men’s 400m freestyle - 4:03.72 Bronze - Men’s 800m freestyle - 8:27.33 Bronze - Men’s 1500m freestyle - 16:24.33

TuksHockey head to India

TuksHockey saw nine players named as part of the South Africa under 21 national field hockey team that will play in the 2021 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup. The tournement will take place in India from 24 November to 5 December. The team will be led by captain Guy Morgan and vice-captain Jared Campbell.

TuksVolleyball win silver

TuksVolleyball women’s team won the silver medal at the 2021 Volleyball South Africa National Club Championships, held in Benoni. The team was led by captains GP Fourie and Natasha Webber, and assistant coach Rudolph du Plessis. With their second place win, the team has also qualified for the 2022 CAVB Zone Six tournament.

TuksVolleyball player, Natasha Webber, was also named Most Valuable Player in the women’s division.

On being named MVP, Webber told TuksSport that she “never expected to still have such a big impact on my team and other players in general. [...] It is an honour and a privilege to still [...] make a difference.”

TuksCricket alumni Player of the Match

TuksCricket alumni, Ruben Trumpelmann, was named Player of the Match as an Namibian international cricketer for the recent match against Scotland as part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

TuksRugby players signed

Andrew Ross: Silver - Men’s 200m freestyle - 1:51.63 Silver - Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay - 7:34.09 Gold - Mixed 4x100m freestyle relay - 3:34.02 - African Championships Record

TuksRugby player, Jaco Bezuidenhout, has been signed with the Houston SaberCats Rugby in the USA for the 2022 Major League Rugby season.

Bezuidenhout plays a flanker position and co-led UPTuks to a Varsity Cup victory in May.

Matthew Randle: Silver - Men’s 50m breaststroke - 28.70 Silver - Men’s 100m breaststroke - 1:03.06 Silver - Men’s 200m breaststroke - 2:15.03 Seven gold medals in the junior category as a Tuks Sports High School swimmer.

TuksRugby player, Johan Mulder, was also signed for the 2022 season with Griquas Rugby. Mulder plays a scrum-half position and has represented UP at the Varsity Cup.

Compiled by Kayla Thomas

Compiled by Kayla Thomas. Info via TuksSport.

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Mfundo Masiya

Held in Ghana this year, the 2021 CANA African Championships saw UP’s TuksSwimming claim multiple medals with winning times. For more results after the date of publication, check out @ tukssport.

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