Sports 1 March 2011
Volume 70: Number 2 021 650 3543
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Afropolitan university? UCT rethinks Centre for African Studies Ti any Mugo Stephanie Venter
investigates the plight of Pinelands students.
Page 3
A TENTATIVE proposal to merge the Centre for African Studies (CAS) with the African Gender Institute (AGI), Anthropology, and Linguistics has created controversy that has attracted both local and international attention. Many have questioned the wisdom of supposedly ‘closing’ an African studies department in an African university, an argument that has largely been at the centre of the controversy.
Opinions
A series of meetings, which began on Friday 25 February, continue with the aim of making a decision about the future of the departments. The final decision will be made by the Humanities faculty, and the Senate and Council of the university.
Mr Gordhan, why raise income tax, when you
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Paula Ensor, said in a statement, “No decision, administrative or otherwise, has been made… And any decision that may finally be made will be arrived at through open discussion and debate within the faculty.” Within the statement there was no mention of what would happen to the various administrative staff who work in the various departments.
“ ‘My
biggest fear is that UCT will only be known for servicing adventurous suburban Americans on semester abroad courses, instead of being a leading venue for thought on the continent’
“
Anthropology, Linguistics, and Gender Studies”, an interim department until the birth of a new “School for Critical Inquiry in Africa”. This new school has the potential to be the second largest department in the Humanities faculty, and would be the culmination of meetings over the past year by
News
Lyndall Thwaits
&
Professor Ensor described the proposal as a two-step merge of the departments. The initial merger would create a “Department of
In This Issue
could charge sin tax on ecstasy?
Page 5
Features
HERITAGE UNDER THREAT – A wall hanging tapestry at this weekend’s Design Indaba celebrates Africa’s diversity, bringing into question UCT’s closure of the Centre for African Studies. Picture: Gemma Cowan
approximately 30 academics. The school would “lift African studies at UCT to a significantly higher level”, Professor Ensor added. Director of the Centre for African Studies, Dr Harry Garuba, spoke to VARSITY on the issue at hand, and stated that the proposed merger of the CAS is one that has been debated since around the end of 2005 or beginning of 2006, when there was a review of various “small departments” in the faculty. This review involved the AGI, the CAS, and the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research. Dr Garuba voiced fears that the CAS would “disappear” within the proposed merger of the departments. Many students also share these concerns. One CAS alumnus, Ryan Williams, was quoted saying, “My biggest fear is that UCT will only be known for servicing adventurous suburban Americans on semester abroad courses, instead of being
a leading venue for thought on the continent”. Williams went on to say that the decision not to fund institutions like AGI or CAS “seems more to do with money than the failure of both centres to produce meaningful research”. Murendeni Matshinyatsimbi, a former Engineering student, also expressed concern at the proposal. “CAS has a role in the future of South Africa,” he said, “It will help South Africa with the issue of identity and definition in terms of knowing who we are and what we stand for as Africans. Transformation is often seen in numbers but it must also be seen in academic terms. African studies is at the centre of that.” A task force has been mandated to review departments with six staff members or less, as these were no longer seen as viable, and to come up with proposals regarding departments categorised as ‘small departments’. Part of the proposals included the suggested
CAS merger considered.
currently
being
National Research Fund (NRF) Research Chair Professor Lungisile Ntsebeza, who formed part of the task force, stated that CAS was ‘problematically’ declared a department and was in turn affected by the decision. He too expressed concerns on the ability of the university to place itself at the centre of education in the continent, but at the same time ‘close’ the CAS. Professor Ntsebeza said, “Various scenarios were presented but not all scenarios placed CAS at the centre of what UCT does.” The point that was, however, made in the committee meetings was that many South Africans know little of the continent, and there in turn could not be a compromise or a conglomerate not centred on Africa. A decision has yet to be made on the future of the departments.
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An infectious experience hits the City of Cape Town
Page 8 & 9
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News 2 New safety measures for Observatory Stephanie Venter A HOST of new safety measures were recently implemented in Observatory, in response to last year’s student protest at rising crime levels in the area. Of primary concern to students and party-goers in Observatory is the hiring of a private security company to patrol the area and the implementation of the “Walking Bus” initiative. Following the murder of two UCT students and the largest student protest in ten years, safety in the Observatory area came under the spotlight. “Observatory really heard [students’] cries last year following the biggest student march in over in a decade,” said Natasha Nel of the Communications Committee for the Observatory Improvement District (OBSID). The OBSID is the organisation responsible for the new safety measures. Part of the implemented safety measures is the hiring of the private security company Vetus Schola, which has been contracted to patrol the Observatory area within the OBSID borders. The company can be contacted for assistance in many situations, including noise complaints,
reporting of suspicious characters, loitering, or anti-social behaviour by vagrants, general safety concerns and reporting a crime, according to Ancois Bester of the OBSID. Another measure is the Walking Bus, also known as the “Safe Walk Home”, a service designed to prevent students, residents and anyone else in the area from walking home alone. Available seven days a week, security guards depart from the corner of both Lower Main and Station Roads at 9:15pm, 12:15am, or 2:15am to escort those making use of the service to their homes. Bester said the times of the service are provisional, and escorts may be made more frequent should demand rise. Security guards will continue with their designated patrols should no one meet at the designated point within five minutes of the listed times. Anyone needing to utilise the Walking Bus service from a point other than the designated meeting place has been considered in the implementing of the service. In this case, one can phone the Vetus Schola control room on (021) 447 1066 and arrange for a security guard to meet them. However, people should “keep in mind that Vetus Schola is
WE SAY ENOUGH – Observatory security was stepped up following the UCT protest early last Picture: garethsmit.com year. employed to maintain security [in the Observatory area], and should they at that time be attending an incident, the person will have to await their arrival,” Bester said, adding that the service is intended for after dark.
Protection of Information Bill: Right2Know comes to UCT UCT’S STUDENTS for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) has aligned with the Right2Know (R2K) campaign, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing the implementation of the Protection of Information (POI) Bill, by taking it on as the organisation’s cause a few weeks ago. The controversial bill is currently being drafted in Parliament, and if implemented, will give government officials from Parliament through to municipalities the right to conceal classified information at their discretion. It will also enable authorities to prosecute whistleblowers and sentence them to imprisonments of up to 25 years. The bill has been met with opposition in the media, with the Alternative Information Development Centre (AIDC) declaring, “The ‘people shall not govern’ if they are not informed and cannot express their views. There can be no meaningful development or service delivery responsive to the needs of the people without the freedom of expression and information.” The Right2Know campaign is perhaps the most active of the movements against the POI Bill. The organisation’s actions thus far include an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, and a recent silent protest at a Parliamentary meeting. Five members of R2K covered their faces in masks depicting Minister of State Security, Siyabonga Cwele, during the protest.
In an official statement released after the demonstration, Parliament threatened legal action against R2K, saying, “The conduct of the demonstrators was extremely disrespectful to the institution of Parliament, undermined public representatives and the ethos of a people’s Parliament which encourages and welcomes public participation in its work. By law, demonstrations at Parliament are prohibited, unless permission for such demonstrations has been granted in accordance with the law.”
“‘This
is not solely a media freedom issue. The bill will create a society of secrets that will impact daily life and people’s struggles for service delivery and social justice.’
“
Michelle October
In response, the R2K campaign said that Parliament should investigate the “anti-democratic provisions of the Secrecy Bill.” R2K UCT will organise debates, screenings, and talks in an effort to raise students’ awareness about the Bill. Additionally, the SLSJ will
support R2K in protests against the Bill. Liat Davis, the UCT Chair of SLSJ, regards the proposed bill as a danger to South Africa, saying, “What ought to be emphasised is the fact that this is not solely a media freedom issue. The Bill will create a society of secrets that will impact daily life and people’s struggles for service delivery and social justice.” The official position of the government is one of support for the bill, with President Jacob Zuma stating, “We respect the Constitution of our country; we fought hard for it to be as progressive and as exemplary as it is. This bill will not undermine the spirit of the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, and we wish to assure the media houses in that regard.” The aim of the Bill is officially stated as, “to provide for the protection of certain information from destruction, loss, or unlawful disclosure; to regulate the manner in which information may be protected, to repeal the Protection of Information Act, 1982, and to provide for matters connected herewith” (as proposed to Parliament). Students wishing to get involved in the R2K campaign can e-mail Liat Davis at liatdavis@ gmail.com, or Alison Walker at alisongailwalker@gmail.com. Forms are also available from the second floor of the Kramer Law Building.
The implemented services are free to anyone utilising them, and are likely to be of great use to Observatory students who often walk home alone in the dark. However, any serious incidents should be also reported to the
Woodstock South African Police Service (SAPS). The Woodstock SAPS station can be contacted on (021) 442 3121, or on 082 302 5525 in the case of emergencies.
News Bites Michelle October FIRST OPPOSITION MEMBER ELECTED TO EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT CAIRO – The state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported that Egypt has appointed Mounir Abdel Nour, of the opposition Wafd Party, as Minister of Tourism. The Wafd Party is seen as liberal in Egypt. On assuming the position, Nour stated that, “Accepting this position is a national duty to push for change in the right direction.” – Reuters Africa
USA USES FIRST UN VETO UNDER OBAMA WASHINGTON – The United States of America (USA) has used its veto power on the United Nations (UN) Security Council for the first time during Barack Obama’s presidency. The veto was used against a proposed resolution that would, if implemented, label Israeli settlement in Palestinian territory as “illegal under international law,” said UN British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant. The Palestine Telegraph reported that this resolution is sure to anger Arab countries, with Israel seen as the USA’s closest ally in the region. – Palestine Telegraph
RADEBE: DEWANI WILL RECEIVE FAIR TRIAL PRETORIA – Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe gave assurance on Sunday 20 February that Shrien Dewani will in fact receive a fair trial, regardless of what is being said outside of the courtroom. “Whoever says anything outside of the court process, it is totally irrelevant. The presiding officers, be they magistrates or judges, they uphold the rule of law… So Mr Dewani has no worry at all,” said Radebe. – Mail & Guardian Online
CHRISTCHURCH ROCKED BY EARTHQUAKE CHRISTCHURCH – New Zealand’s South Island has been severely affected by an earthquake that hit the city of Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February at approximately 1pm (local time). Measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, the quake caused serious injuries to people and considerable damage to buildings. Christchurch has been hit by many earthquakes since a 7.1-strong quake hit the city in September 2010. – Guardian.co.uk
GADDAFI THREATENS ‘RATS’ TRIPOLI – Following in the footsteps of Egypt and Tunisia, civilian protests have rocked Libya’s capital city in disapproval of the 42-year reign of the country’s leader, Muammar Gaddafi. In a speech broadcast live on state television, Gaddafi defiantly refused to step down and heatedly encouraged his supporters to rise up against the protesters and “capture the rats”. As levels of violence rise in the capital, protests continue. – News24.com
3
News
Student overload: UCT at capacity Lauren-Kate Stewart THE UCT student population grows by a third each decade, and the student capacity has now been declared full, according to university officials. UCT is encountering spatial problems with the higher number of students on campus, and is now taking action to improve facilities and better accommodate current student numbers. UCT’s student population has grown by 800 to 1 000 more students this year, which is close to the maximum amount of students the university can hold, according to UCT Registrar Hugh Amoore. “There is serious debate in the Senate [as to whether] UCT can cope with more students,” he explained. “It is saturated at the moment and there is a need to devise a plan for the future,” Amoore added, also stating that the critical issue with adopting more students is the limited amount of facilities and staff at the university. Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Jo Beall, whose portfolio is tasked with improving the quality of teaching and learning at UCT, said that “students will be affected by increased numbers; they will feel it in classrooms, lecture theatres, in the library, the Jammie Shuttle and other public spaces on campus. The timetabling-people (sic) are having to work miracles; it has been very difficult.”
UCT is spending almost a billion rand on construction to accommodate the current student capacity, Amoore explained to VARSITY. Part of this construction includes plans to build a bigger lecture theatre that will seat 380 students. This building will be located in place of the house at the end of University Avenue. Many other facilities, such as the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, are also undergoing construction and restructuring to create more space for students. Professor Beall stressed that the current building projects can only accommodate the student load of 2011, “and will not be adequate for future growth, which would require further investment if we choose to get any bigger”. Another problem UCT faces with the growth of student numbers is the increased potential for academic failure. “Although our pass rates are of the best in South Africa, they are still not good, which places pressure on UCT to rather have a smaller student population with more focus on strong academic growth,” Amoore said. Out of the 33 000 applications UCT received, only 4 000 to 5 000 of these applicants were accepted into the university. The provisional plan, according to Amoore, is 26 000 students, which UCT has just reached.
UNDER PRESSURE – UCT students and staff are concerned with increasing student numbers. Picture: garethsmit.com
Returning students are already noticing the impact of the increase. Daniel Donaldson, a third-year Engineering student said, “There are so many people at UCT this year, I can’t walk from Leslie to James without knocking into twenty people.” Sandown Jammie driver George Cogill has also noticed that there are many more
students catching the Jammies this year, and said that some students are being left behind at the shuttle stops because there is no space on the buses.
table of the Senate. Professor Beall said that UCT has “looked at different scenarios, staying the same, growing slightly and growing a lot, and are now considering the implications of these choices”.
The debate around increasing student numbers and the effect they have on UCT and its students continues to circulate around the
MODERNISING MIDDLE – Finishing touches to construction on Middle Campus have given the campus a fresh new face. Picture: michael.currin.co.za
Ongoing Pinelands transport issues Lyndall Thwaits TRANSPORT woes of UCT students living in Pinelands have yet to be resolved as discussions between UCT, students and the Pinelands Residents and Ratepayers Association continue. Students maintain hope for a UCT-serviced solution for the suburb, much like the existing Claremont and Sandown Jammie Shuttle routes. UCT students living in Pinelands have yet to see a concrete form of transport to and from campus, although the lack of transport for students living in Pinelands is not a new issue for both students and staff. Discussions about implementing transport solutions were sparked by a petition on Facebook, made by students calling for action from the university. The Pinelands Neighbourhood Watch committee was recently
created to address the issue of the safety of its student residents, as many were opting, sometimes with no alternative, to walk from Pinelands to another Jammie stop in a nearby suburb — or even to walk directly to campus. The Jammie Shuttle, which services the Pine Grove residence, does not provide transport to students not living there. According to reports, a first-year student living in the Pinelands area was warned that he would be removed from the Pine Grove Jammie should he attempt to take it home again. In a statement, Pat Lucas of UCT’s Communication and Marketing Department said, “UCT has been aware for some time of the difficulties faced by students who stay in Pinelands and need to get to campus [but] UCT does not have the funding to extend the Jammie Bus service to Pinelands”. Lucas indicated that UCT’s Properties and Services Director John Critien has been involved in discussions with the Pinelands Residents and
Ratepayers Association about the transport problem. “UCT’s staff and student transport system should not be confused with the need to establish a public transport system for all residents of Pinelands”, said Lucas. The need for a reliable and efficient transport system for all residents – including UCT students – is an ongoing process. The Students Representative Council (SRC) was asked to comment on the status of the
transport for students in Pinelands but were unable to specify who was dealing with the transport issues. It is alleged that a bus route has been in place from 14 February which transports students between the Mowbray bus station and Pinelands High School (PHS). After the Pinelands Neighbourhood Watch committee’s proposal for a Jammie-serviced stop-and-drop in Pinelands was allegedly refused, the committee was reportedly told by UCT to plan an alternative transport solution for its students.
The Neighbourhood Watch, in partnership with the GoldenArrow Bus Service, is believed to be making this new trial MowbrayPHS bus route available to all UCT students. Students would be required to buy a seasonal bus pass for use between Pinelands and Mowbray, and would then transfer to a standard Jammie at the Mowbray station.
Editorial
4 LAST WEEK I dug out my 2008 and 2009 copies of Varsity, what nostalgia I felt reading my very first article to be published. I perused through the paper, in search of well I don’t know but I was glad with what I stumbled upon and thought, how different and not-so-different things are now. I read a montage of African leaders that was published just before the national elections in 2008. There was great scepticism as to whether Jacob Zuma would later be categorized as a Julius Nyerere or an Idi Amin.
Letter to the Editor... I write in response to Tiffany Mugo’s piece, “So wrong in all the right ways….” Although Ms. Mugo’s celebration of the culture of sexual liberation is pervasive on campus and has become orthodoxy for many, it is nevertheless irresponsible, thoughtless and serves no imaginable purpose other than to rationalize her willingness to supplant reason with base desire.
I later read the infamous SRC column (yes, in those day we all played nice), written by, then President Chris Ryall, and he spoke of the series of President Consultations he ran, sort of like Jacob Zuma’s Hotmail line but only run from Leslie Social. This gave students the chance to have one-on-one time with him to discuss any problems they had, and how SRC could help. Instead this week, I am to attend the Student Leaders Dinner, where I shall hear what the SRC has planned for me and my fellow peers. It would have been nice, if they had asked me what I needed from them, instead of me listening to their plans to attain the phantom 24hr library I have been promised by four previous SRCs. But before I’m made to bite my tongue…
How can we help you...?
I realise that there some you, who read VARSITY and have hmm… Let’s say misgivings about what we say, or how we say it. You would rather we discuss how nothing is happening between DASO and SASCO, or do an expose on the society or club which you are a member of. Since we are a student newspaper, about the students, for the students, it is only right we take you views into consideration. Thus I cordially invite you to give us constructive criticism on what you expect of, your official student newspaper. We take constructive criticism very seriously and frown upon those that bitch on Facebook, their personal blogs, or worse in a bar, whose name starts with Pig and ends with Swizzle. Much like you own fortune, Varsity can be as good as you want it to be. Now I must go and start going through my inbox, I hope you’re fuming!
NYASHA KADANDARA is the Editor of VARSITY newspaper.
She begins by assuring us that proscription of sexual behaviours is the residue of antiquated religious doctrines. Here is a bit of natural law theory: Humans have the capacity to reason. This ability enables them to discern things of intrinsic value like friendship, knowledge, love, beauty, et cetera. These things are ends in themselves and not mere instrumentalities. Using others for personal gratification is to treat them as means. One need only be a rational person - believer or non-believer - to comprehend such elemental facts of basic human competence. Her screed against sexual mores continues with the absurd claim that while Africa was in the midst of some sexual utopia, Victorian Europe was a model of hedonic decadence. I suggest she familiarize herself with more Western history. Perhaps a cursory reading of Kant’s or Aquinas’ writings on sex would suffice. It remains unclear why she considers polygamy, clitoridectomies and masturbatory competitions of the variety in “Facing Mount Kenya,” edifying. Ms. Mugo contends that we have defined sex “too narrowly” and encourages us to “break some rules, redefine the boundaries according to what you want and not what society tells you.” Brave words for a woman living in a country where one in four men has committed rape. Inane words for someone living in a country where every ninth person is infected with HIV/AIDS. I wonder if Ms. Mugo has ever pondered the teleology or purpose of sex. “Because it feels good,” is simply an insufficient justification for action, in any context. Historically, the purpose of a classical education was to teach students to use reason to direct their desires. Unfortunately, this university, like so many, has disabused itself of this aim, leaving students’ minds to become, as Hume said, the “slave of the passions.”
Daniel Marso Comments, complaints, want to be heard? Don’t just keep it inside, step up and write to Varsity Newspaper. Have your say!
EVER run into people who just say or do unnecessary things? I mean truly unnecessary. A few weeks ago, while stopped at a robot, a young gentleman in a bakkie pulled up behind a sweet grandmother-type. As the light changed (I mean at the exact moment), this young gent proceeded to lay into the horn. Who knows – maybe he was a firefighter or someone was going into labour in his vehicle or he was on his way to slay the Antichrist – but after sitting on the horn for close to 25 seconds, my friends and I turned to look at what in the world is going on.
Relax yourself!
Turns out Grandma was just adjusting her rearview mirror. Two second thing, which is how long it took her, but of course she spent the next little while wondering who was hooting and why. When she realized who it was, Gogo threw on her oh-hell-no face, turned the car, got out, and strolled back to our bakkie driver friend and asked him, “What is your problem?” She then gave him a grade-A education while we applauded from the next lane. Moral? Calm. The. Freak. Down. Take a breath. Have a Kit-Kat. It will be fine, I promise!
Send all letters to editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
newsgathering newsgathering Tuesday 1 March, Meridian, LS3B
2011 collective editor Nyasha Kadandara deputy editor Nkosiyati Khumalo copy editor Candice Newton sub editors Edna Ngwenya & Meg Ely news Stephanie Venter & Lyndall Thwaitts opinions Tiffany Mugo & Berndt Hannweg features Marché Arends & Thandokazi Hlwatika sport Tarryn Steenekamp images Gareth Smit & Jessica Christie photographers Zakareeya Pandey, Lorna Rae Daniels, Michael Currin, Michal Malek, Gemma Cowen, Robyn Raymond cartoonist Jay Q web Azhar desai human resources Caterina Aldera & Chido Mpemba advertising Sizwe Moagi marketing team Rémy Ngamije staff writers Calvin Scholtz, Alexander Child, Aimee Dyamond, Pasqua Heard, Michelle October, Cara-Leigh Sheperd, Thabang Letheo, Thato Mabusdusha, Andrew Giliam, Liam Kruger, LaurenKate Stewart, Nicola Lazenby, Kudzai Mazvariwofa, Sajjad Karamsi, Michal Malek, Xavier Van Der Zandt, Melissa van Rooyen, Tobie Taljaard, Omogolo Taunyane, Rachel Botsis, Helene Demetriou,
Contact us, biatches!
NKOSIYATI KHUMALO is the Deputy Editor of VARSITY newspaper.
news@varsitynewspaper.co.za THIS WEEK I have come to ponder many a thing. Yes… it’s true, I is thinking about stuffs! My top lessons learnt are:
opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za features@varsitynewspaper.co.za
No matter how early you get to campus to do work, the library still only opens at 8am. Dancing in heavy boots will hurt your ass-muscles. Never underestimate the value of your course outline. InDesign always has the upper hand. Cheap boerewors rolls will always be awesome after a night out. Having classes on Middle sucks. A true family is not defined by blood. Always buy a year planner if you are involved in a society (or two) on top of your academics, otherwise you’ll drown. The rules of dating have changed, which often leaves me thinking, “WTF?”
sports@varsitynewspaper.co.za hr@varsitynewspaper.co.za ads@varsitynewspaper.co.za images@varsitynewspaper.co.za marketing@varsitynewspaper.co.za
You are as old as you feel, and a ¼ of a century is tough business. If a cat is hungry and you are sleeping, they will lick your eye to wake you up. Take time out to do your readings, it really sucks if you have no clue what’s going on and it seems like everyone else does. Design Indaba is, and will always be, awesome and EXPENSIVE. Monday mornings always kill me. Being married entitles you to sex-on-demand; however, marriage plus work does not guarantee you will have enough energy to participate. Sunday Jammies are the devil incarnate. Zoo biscuits are a gift from God. And February is the mother-load of birthday months!
Ponder this...
May your week ahead be enlightened! Peace, harmony, love
CANDICE NEWTON is the Copy Editor of VARSITY newspaper.
Know your status.
Please recycle VARSITY.
Don’t drink and drive. Drink responsibly.
Reduce energy emmission.
Opinions Tiffany Mugo
On many levels, what occurred in Egypt represents something very important in our day and age, the ability to have a nation’s voices heard by those who need to hear them most. A country should be for its entire population and not a select few. When the people express their grievances, those who rule have a duty to listen. And if they do not, well, people can only be ignored for so long. A predicament arises when the people begin to see violence as not merely an option, but the most effective and only solution. A FEW weeks ago Egyptians shook the Arab world and beyond as another long term despot was expelled from his position, not by means of elections but by violent protests. Spokesman Clayson Monyela stated at the time that ‘the latest events in Egypt represent a victory of the will of the people’. The question I pose is this: where does violent revolt stop being the will of the people and turn into tyranny by the people?
One, however, cannot help but notice the pending danger that exists when discontent meets violence, joining together to seek change. What can emerge is something akin to a child throwing a tantrum. When those in charge do not give ALL the people exactly what they want, when they want, then faction elites will rally the troops. The notion is, “if violence worked before, it ought to work again.” And a cycle begins.
The revelation of revolution: ‘What goes around, comes around‘ Within the Arab world especially, there are whisperings of similar revolts, spurred on by the success of the Egyptian movement. There is a stirring in both the Arabic and African spheres as Egypt straddles both worlds. Egypt now lies in the hands of the military who promise to “hold elections soon”. The winds of change have arrived, and political leaders must either strap down or get blown away. One also witnesses revolts in other Arabic countries including Tunisia (whose revolts were termed the ‘Jasmine Revolution’), Libya, Bahrain, Algeria and Yemen. Libya founds its roots as a socialist nation in a coup de tat in 1969. Despite many years of Gaddafi maintaining control, it would seem that those who want change have gone back to the old ways (as they say in Russia) and have utilised violent protests to change the system. Although the first coup was said to be bloodless, there was use of brute force as tanks and troops converged on
Meet me at the altar – in your grad gown Shannon Cupido AS 2011 (and my first year at UCT) started off, I got in touch with some high school friends and asked their opinion about all the wonderful things I should get up to once I entered this glorious establishment. From the positive (“join SHAWCO, do something selfless for once in your life”) to the not so positive (“pull a Charlie Sheen then just wear big sunnies, a hat and fake sobriety come Monday morning”). The most peculiar request was one overbearing mothers told their ingénue daughters in those coming of age novels: “Find a good husband.” “Don’t be silly,” I said, almost spitting out my third Wimpy top-up Coke as I laughed at this ridiculous idea, “That doesn’t happen in real life.” Although I ignored the fact that my friend absurdly made this sound like a mission to be completed for the sake of world safety, it did get me thinking. Is it possible to find your future husband or wife at university? In an era gone by, meeting your
future spouse at university was not only feasible but sometimes the norm: you meet, fall in love, get your degrees, get engaged and cheesily live happily ever after. But in an age where most of us want to focus on our careers and don’t know who we are by the time we’re 30 (and even then we still have to go on an Eat, Pray, Love journey to find ourselves), finding that special person and marrying them straight out of university is almost unheard of. “I don’t think you can meet your future partner at varsity,” a friend tells me as we linger over coffee in Leslie Social after a long afternoon in the computer lab. “A lot of people are still immature, selfcentered, sneaky; who has time to find a husband anyway, it’s been so hectic, I haven’t even had a chance to start reading my Politics course reader yet, and this is only our first week!” I pondered this and decided to get a second opinion. “Of course you can meet your future spouse at university,” another friend tells me; “you might meet someone you really like, you start dating
THERE’S nothing more irritating than being told that something is right in front of you, but when you try to take hold of it, you don’t see it. I’m sure many can relate: its like being told that the apple juice that you’re looking for is in the fridge, on the top shelf, but when you look at the top shelf, there’s nothing! You enquire further, and you’re told: “I’m telling you, it’s there!” But it’s really not there - the apple juice in the fridge is UCT’s administration! When you apply to UCT, you look through the prospectus, browse the website and sometimes even walk into a few of the offices. The message that is constantly preached to you is how awesome the university is, but most of all, the “world-class” standard that it is famous for. From there it’s: Acceptance letter, Orientation, and then registration! What they don’t tell you in the photoshopped prospectus and
website is that they’ll make sure they do everything in their power to extract as much money from you as possible in the shortest space of time. When you do come and bring your parent’s life-savings to the fees office, the lady behind the glass will be on the phone to her aunt in Mpumalanga, so it might take a few hours to complete the simple procedure of swiping your card and getting a receipt printed. What they also don’t tell you on the day that you come to register; is that your so-called curriculum advisors are “over-it” by midday, and kind of let you just fill anything in those columns just to get you out of their way, only to tell you three years later that you need to take an extra course in order to graduate because you don’t have enough credits. It’s really shocking that an institution that claims to be the best in Africa would fail to get the Constitutional Law course readers out in time, such that two weeks into the semester the Con. Law class is still (or was still),
The African continent is no stranger to this phenomenon either, perhaps being more familiar to it than other regions. Many an African country has found herself victim to a civil war, a coup and/or in some extreme cases, genocide. One can identify instances of violence in the political history of Algeria with the military intervening in the first ever multi-party elections. What ensued was a civil war that killed 160, 000+ people between 1992 and 2002. To plant the seed of one’s nation-state in violence, one will undoubtedly sow violence. Most African countries fought for independence through means that were often violent. Despite this being no fault of their own (people had to do what people had to do) what has been left in many African countries is the mentality “if we fight, we can win.” A mentality that means a few will take up arms to
get what they want and the whole country will pay the bill for their challenge of the ruling elites. When one looks at the origins of certain regimes the phrase ‘you live by the sword you die by the sword’ comes to mind. When you come to power through the use of violence then chances are they shall exist by the door they entered through. Leaders such as Congo’s Laurent-Désiré Kabila entered the political realm through brute force and thus inherited a country plagued by mass looting, rape and bloodshed. A country where rebels run rife and elections are contested with the means of ‘all out battles’ between supporters of factions. The use of violence in politics is like a two-headed cobra, aim one attack on your enemy and you may find yourself the victim of the other. When masses realize that violence is in fact the answer it shall become their weapon of choice when things go wrong, no matter who is at the receiving end.
The pros and con(dom)s of legislation
and that’s that. Just because you don’t actually get married right after you graduate, doesn’t mean that the person you’re with is not marriage material.” So there it is. Whether or not it’s possible to find your future spouse at university is a matter of opinion. Some people say yes, others say no. Others say yes but that doesn’t mean you have to marry them. As a hopeless romantic, I’m in the yes-camp. The thought of meeting someone who makes you starryeyed, bravely falling in love with them and starting your post-varsity lives (completely broke) together just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The romance of it all might be sickening to some, the more progressive among might even say marriage is outdated and the rest of us are just too busy to even give a damn. But in 2011, with the month of love just past, the idea of university as the place to meet the person you’ll (hopefully) spend the rest of your life with is still alive and kicking.
Are you being served, sir? – The joys of UCT admin Michael Mpofu
the capital and took the country, ousting the then ruler, King Idris. Now Gaddafi has met the same fate at the hands of his people and fled.
Picture: flickr.com
Speak Easy
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waiting. The annoying bit was the speech: “the department is doing everything in its power to resolve the problem”. Is it too much to ask that a department would get its act together and stop treating students like they have committed a crime when we walk into the offices to make enquiries? This goes out especially to the receptionists. It’s one thing to make demands that are simply unrealistic, but it’s another to request the basics, like a working printer on the day that your assignment is due. So what if I want a tutor that marks according to merit and not how hung over he / she is? A little value for money would be appreciated, or are we being ungrateful? Perhaps if they lowered the fees we wouldn’t mind. Don’t get me wrong, I love UCT, but maybe half the staff population needs to get fired for UCT to love me back. Until they get it right, we shall not be silent.
ILLEGAL – Not as safe as legalised substances... like cigarettes.
Damian Phillip Smith DRUGS and ladies of the night: more than just the lyrical content of a Rick Ross album. These may well be the kinds of things we need legalised. Rather than dismiss this potential legislation as if it had the credibility of a Jean-Claude van Damme fight scene, perhaps we should take a moment to think about how they’d improve the quality of our lives. “Legalisation of drugs” is not just the creed of Mowbray’s thriving homeless population: it is the way forward. If drugs were legal, it would improve the quality and purity of drugs currently sold on the illicit market. For instance: you could complain to the SABS that your Tik isn’t helping you stay awake through that tedious fifth season of “How I Met Your Mother” (damn you, Barney Stinson), or you could check the number of calories in your heroin. Without recreational narcotics, many of the great things that you and I enjoy on a daily basis wouldn’t exist right now, like Dubstep, or Tugwell’s aesthetically pleasing architecture. Legalisation of drugs would make the industry much easier to get into, increasing competition. More competition likely translates into prices so low they would make Somali shopkeepers jealous. At long last, cocaine for a meal voucher! Though you may have to add a few coins at one of those outlets where they only give you like R12 credit for your meal voucher, and refuse to give you your change, which is rightfully
yours. Anti-drug legislation is way too tough. In fact, I’ve met Liberian warlords that wish they were as tough as the aforementioned legislation. If the drugs were legal, wouldn’t it mean that drug dealers would be able to declare and bank their income, and insure their goods? At the same time, this could serve to keep non-violent drug offenders out of prison, which more likely turns them into violent, severely traumatised, sharpenedtoothbrush-wielding-killers. All of this would save a good deal of police time and resources, which could be diverted to more important causes. Now onto prostitution: whores aren’t such bad people, just ask Tiger Woods. Hoes whose pimps are working them too hard, could, at long last, contact the CCMA and file a complaint. Hell, they could establish a local Faculty of Hookers, which they could join soon after completing their two years of articles. Maybe they’d even allow this wondrous practice at campus, in which case you could spend half your meridian queuing at Hoerikwaggo. Alternatively, we could open a brothel on Jammie Plaza, construct a road adjacent to it, assign it its own shuttle, and call it East(ern- European) stop. Soon the lower campus queues at 7:30 in the morning won’t be the only place on campus where you can find some human traffic. So, as my namesake Mr Damien Marley would put it: “We must legalise!”
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Opinions
Your HIV Status: What do you really know? and overeager fresher brain was, “Oh my god, you have to get one, everyone else has it and if you ever want to be accepted you need this!� And, so began my sexless testing spree. For a while I walked around with an inflated sense of belonging and self-esteem, thinking the words on my increasing bangles were a token of my superiority - “I know right! LMFAO!� The needle prick in my right index finger would mean taking painful lecture notes for the rest of the week. However, my suffering was small in comparison to the exponential status and self-worth I was surely absorbing through my wrist. It was made of plastic beads and elastic, but who cared?! I was awesome from the wrist up!
BLOOD, BLOOD, BLOOD! – Eradicating uncertainty trumps painful fingers every time. Picture: Robyn Raymond
Nicola Lazenby STUDENTS are the only people in the whole world who would willingly draw blood from their bodies with a needle to get free sh*t. Okay, so maybe not the only people. When I got my first HIV-test
bracelet, with its little block letter beads spelling the words “I Know�, I didn’t really know anything. Shame, I was only 18 and still a virgin. So with HIV not being high on my worry list, I couldn’t have been expected to understand what this new cool piece of status arm-wear was actually saying. All it was saying to my insecure
My Life As a
Well, that is, until things didn’t go so well for me the one time. Sitting in Jammie Hall, or in a walk in clinic waiting for your results, status symbol bracelets and cool points mean nothing if there’s even the slightest worry that you are HIV-positive. Maybe you didn’t have a condom, or you were too drunk to put one on when you did the sigalekeke with the hot stranger after Tiger. Maybe the condom broke. Maybe you didn’t know you could get it your first time (you can). Maybe your partner cheated on you and you unknowingly got it from them. Either way, it’s just a big fat, “What if?� Unprotected sex could allow HIV to touch your future “on its studio�. Knowing your HIV status means that you can “maak ‘n plan�. If you’re negative, stay that way. If
you’re positive, get educated. You can live, fully and successfully, with HIV for years. You can finish your studies, travel, get a job, and be good at all the stuff you’re good at right now. You just need to be informed about it and live a healthy life according to the special programmes and meds that have been put in place for those diagnosed with HIV. All the information you need about HIV / testing / treatment you can get from the on-campus testing clinic (in the Sports Centre, walk in whenever, they’re really helpful and chilled), or in Jammie Hall during testing week.
I wanted that bracelet in first year because everyone was doing it. You know what else everyone is doing? Having sex. And while sex or a bracelet aren’t measurements of how cool you are, having sex without knowing BOTH your statuses is definitely a measure of what a dumbass you are. Sex is great. So is being HIVnegative and STD-free. Don’t be that guy / girl when it’s too late, that person who was told, “You knew better, you could have been prevented it.� Yeah... I know.
“Ah no, hey bru, I don’t have that hey. That’s not something white people / rich people / straight people / people who shower get.� Now that’s a damn lie. HIV is not something that some other guy has got. It’s you bru! It’s me. It’s the girl I pass in the food court. It’s that belter you slept with from Neighbourhood last week. It’s one in every three of us.
Get tested in Jammie Hall from 1 - 3 March.
Did you know? On average, every year, 5900 students get tested at UCT, and only 1% test positive. Of these 4000 people who get tested during the March and August Campaigns, 75% have been tested at least once before - this leaves the statuses of 17600 students unaccounted for!
disclaimer The VARSITY Opinions section is a vehicle for expression on any topic by members of the university community or other interested parties. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY Collective or its advertisers. The Opinions Editor expressly reserves the right to edit or shorten letters. Letters should include the name and telephone number of the writer, and must be received by 17h00 on the Wednesday before publication. They should not exceed 350 words, and will not be published under a pseudonym, or anonymously. Email articles to opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Theatre Producer
You’re studying now – but what comes after? This week, we investigate the inner workings of a Theatre Guru
Careers Calendar
Focus: Rafiek Mammon
Mock Interview Programme
B.Soc.Sci. (Languages and Politics) UCT YEAR, MA Philosophy Stellenbosch.
have connections to help us get set up.
What is your current position, and what is the name of your organisation?
What other student or community-based activities did you participate in during your studies?
1 March: Career Development for Science, LT2, Zoology
I did not do much during my studies, but once I started the working in high schools I became QBSU 5IFBUSF *O &EVDBUJPO XIJDI was aimed at addressing drug abuse in teenagers.
8 March: Career Development for Law, LT3, Kramer
I run my own company Ganarama Productions, which specializes in Industrial and Main Stream Theatre productions. What jobs did you have before your current job(s)? t5FBDIJOH JO IJHI TDIPPMT GPS five years t-FDUVSJOH -BOHVBHFT BU Cape Peninsula University and Technicon t"SUT &EJUPS BU UIF $BQF 5JNFT How did you find your niche in your current area of work? I like to believe it was fortuitous, I never thought I would end up in theatre. It was only when I went on sabbatical and worked for the Tonight Section of the Cape Argus that I discovered my love for theatre. Which factors ignited your interest in this position/ organisation? Once I started reviewing the theatre productions, I fell in love and knew I wanted to get more involved. I enjoy being a critic and I was fortunate enough to
16 & 23 March: Come and register at CDP Reception Talks, from 13h00 – 13h45
2 March: Career Development for Commerce, LS2B, Leslie Social Science
9 March: Career Development for Humanities, LS2B, Leslie Social Science Access the first term’s talks schedule on www.careers.uct.ac.za
Describe some of your dayto-day responsibilities/ experiences.
Hot opportunities
A typical day would involve: t8SJUF B DPMVNO GPS UIF "SHVT t"U MFBTU POF NFFUJOH BU BN t0SHBOJTF B QSFTT SFMFBTF workshop t4UBSU QMBOOJOH GPS PVS OFYU I am successful because I am show happy. t(P XBUDI B UIFBUSF QFSGPSNBODF to review What challenges have you encountered? What are the key skills that have contributed to your The theatre business in Cape success thus far? Town is challenging, because it is a tough industry. I have the ability to network, coupled with my charm I have In retrospect, what advice can established my own business. you give to students? What do you consider to be your biggest achievement(s) thus far? The ability to know what I want,
Don’t measure your happiness by your success, but your success by your happiness.
-PPLJOH GPS B CVSTBSZ TDIPMBSTIJQ WBDBUJPO PS HSBEVBUF PQQPSUVOJUZ for 2011? 7JTJU XXX DBSFFST VDU BD [B DBSFFSQPSUBM
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Opinions
The thirteenth reason your love life sucks (or not)
Skinny? No thanks!
Recently, the new Pepsi can has been creating a lot of controversy. The “slimmer, taller” design for the can of the diet beverage was released in honour of New York Fashion week. PepsiCo’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jill Beraud, stated that the can was to be “the perfect complement to today’s most stylish looks”. The ad features a Photoshopped slimmer version of the naturally voluptuous Sophia Vergara from Modern Family sporting a swimsuit and floppy sun-hat, sipping the soda from pouting red lips. So, does this mean that if you’re not slim and tall, then you aren’t stylish? Funny enough, they go on to say that it, “celebrates beautiful, confident women”. Obviously, the brand has been experiencing a lot of criticism from organizations such as the National Eating Disorders Association who have accused them of demeaning the majority of women in order to sell their product. That just gets me to thinking that we live in a very image-conscious world. The media makes all the right
Astrologer Michael Gauquelin proved this to great effect when he offered free horoscopes to any reader of the Parisian newspaper Ici Paris, if they would provide feedback on how accurate it was. Ninety-four per cent (94%) replied that the horoscope they received was “accurate and insightful”.
“ ‘Stop tryna’ be a skinny chick all your life, maybe it ain’t for you.’
Hopefully, they were all very wrong on that first part. This is because not only had Gauquelin sent them all the same horoscope, the horoscope in question was that of mass murderer Dr Petiot, who had a body count of 63 to his name, which is what one would expect from a go-getting Capricorn.
Haven’t you ever wondered why you almost never see a regular woman gracing the cover of a magazine? It’s not because they are no pretty, average women left on earth, but it’s because people actually want to see those air-brushed, photoshopped lookalikes. Why? Because we are constantly looking for the next best thing, sometimes to our detriment. I’m not saying that it’s okay to be overweight (one must consider the health implications), but nor is it okay for the media to bombard the public with what they deem the “perfect” physique either. What I’m saying is, speaking as a slightly overweight girl myself, it would be nice if the regular girl got a bit of recognition as well. Here’s a little something I learnt from hours of watching Katt Williams, “Stop tryna be a skinny chick all your life, maybe it ain’t for you. Jus’ be a big, fly-a*# rich woman.” I believe that even though the media suffers from an acute case of confusion, we as the general public should select pieces of information that we actually believe in. Only you as an individual know what makes you happy, don’t do something because everyone is doing it, do it because you genuinely want to, for all the right reasons. And who knows, Drake might just have a moment of clarity and realize that I’m the woman he’s been searching for all his life, and not the girl from the Hip Hop magazine.
Classroom experiments have reasserted this principle time and again. There are two reasons we believe in astrology. TODAY’S HOROSCOPE – Why do you think zoo animals know more about you than you do? Picture: Remko van Dokkum
Berndt Hannweg WITH the (re)discovery of the thirteenth constellation of the zodiac, is there an answer to why your horoscope is never as accurate and helpful as you want it to be?
testament to a very slow-news week somewhere in America. Despite all the hype and horror, your star sign hasn’t shifted one to the left (timid Virgins becoming vivacious Leos). You are all still tied to the movements of the stars seasons.
Short answer: No. Longer answer: Nooooooooo. The reason for this is that the new constellation, Ophiuscus, the serpent-bearer, has: (a) been known about for millennia (130 BC since last count), and (b) it forms part of a different zodiac altogether.
don’t believe in “ ‘Iastrology; I’m a
There are two zodiacs. The tropical zodiac (based on the seasons, from equinox to equinox), and the sidereal zodiac (based on the stars and their constellations). The one which results in those daily warnings of death, despair and tall, dark strangers is the tropical zodiac, which has changed not a whit, despite the reintroduction of a sidelined constellation.
Well, you would be, if that actually made any sense at all. Astrology has, time and again, been shown to have little to no bearing on a person’s life, or any tragic/wonderful events that happen to them. Statistical and scientific studies have shown no correlation between star season signs and owners, or even between horoscopes and that day everything went wrong and your cat died, and it’s all because of Jupiter leaning
That it has caused a stir at all is
Sagittarian and we’re sceptical’
“
“WHEN I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change, ‘cause your amazing, just the way you are.” I always wondered if the song would have had the same feel to it if they had used a regular girl, with regular girl problems like cellulite or fat thighs. If the girl had been a girl next door instead of a girl with perfect curls (that probably took five hours to make), a milliondollar-smile (which probably cost in the region of $5 000) and not a blemish in sight. That’s the thing with the media these days, women are sent so many mixed signals. One will read an article entitled, “Love the skin you’re in,” and then right on the same page there is another headline that’s stating, “Look leaner and taller!”
to the left of Mars in the seventh house. Bollocks.
noises concerning self-esteem and “loving yourself” but they give off subliminal messages that slimmer, taller women are generally happier, ergo making the average woman feel sad and unattractive so we can buy their slimming products.
“
Kudzai Mazvarirwofa
The first is “confirmation bias”. We remember and place greater importance on those things that confirm our world views and expectations. We tend to remember all the times our horoscopes are even mildly accurate (it’s bound to happen), and forget all the times they’re not (which is definitely bound to happen). This leads to a situation where we believe our horoscopes to be more accurate than not, even if it’s been right only once a year for fifteen years. The second is that horoscopes are just so vague. Check the internet for your daily horoscope, and see how much it applies to you. Then check another sign’s horoscope, and see how accurate it is. Odds are that they have similar fuzzy language. Mine says, at the time of writing, “Respect, status and achievement are central goals for you now”, to which the only reply is “Duh”. So stop worrying about some old constellation that’s been around forever, and you may as well stop worrying about the others. As Arthur C. Clarke said: “I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarian and we’re sceptical”.
The Arabian Nightmares – The beginning of the end for Middle-Eastern regimes? Sajjad Karamsi FOR decades, most of the Middle East has been ruled by ironfisted dictators and authoritarian monarchies. Years of living under oppressive regimes, poverty and unemployment have sparked off a series of protests and revolutions around the region. From Casablanca to Tehran, street demonstrations have erupted, with estimates of more than 1,000 people dead. Produced by the youth of these countries, and directed through Facebook and Twitter, the entire region is waking up, fighting against the tyranny and subjugation that has plagued their lives. The question that arises though, is: Are they winning? The facts need to be faced. A lot more work still needs to be done. While Tunisia and Egypt are being touted as success stories, are they really? The departure of Mubarak has only brought to power a military junta that helped install him in the first place. In Tunisia, the ousting of longtime President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was well rejoiced. However, as long as Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi and other cronies of the old order remain in government, unrest simmers under the surface. Only time will tell if these ‘revolutions’ are successful.
Over the border in Libya, the situation doesn’t look much better. While Gaddafi goes ranting and raving on television, hired mercenaries loot, rape and ravage innocent citizens on the streets of Tripoli. Protestors have control of Eastern Libya, but Gaddafi holds on to the capital and to power. For now. Media services are restricted from reporting from Libya, but hundreds are estimated to have been massacred. It looks unlikely that Gaddafi will relinquish power, having promised to fight to the death. Libya looks poised to topple into anarchy, a situation which the instigators of the revolution probably never envisioned as ideal. The governments in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Algeria are actively repressing protests, arresting or executing those who stand against them. They can afford to do so for a long time, as the oil wealth they have amassed can help them buy soldiers and weapons to counter the demonstrations. In Bahrain, in fact, most of the army consists of outsiders, brought in to strategically control the opposition. In Jordan, King Abdallah has called for reforms in the parliamentary system, Kuwait has started handing out free food
rations, and Saudi Arabia has promised to invest billions of dollars into further development of the country.
convenient for them to be ‘bastions of morality’, and ‘defenders of human rights’. The world needs to unite against oppression.
The rest of the world also needs to take a stand. While it was convenient for them, countries such as France and the United States actually chose to support the tyrannical regimes. The United States gave millions in aid to the Mubarak regime. France was so smitten with Tunisia, that they actually offered soldiers to take down the protestors. Such countries cannot pick and choose when it’s
It appears that for the majority of the citizens of the Arab world, life has not yet improved. However, the revolution has only just begun. Hopefully, demonstrations will get more organized, and more people will flood the streets. Hopefully, new governments will keep promises and implement change. Hopefully, existing rulers will see the error of their ways
Distinguish yourself
and choose to hand over power peacefully. Hopefully, religious authorities will choose to do the right thing, and stand against tyranny and oppression, rather than for it. Hopefully, the rest of the world, instead of considering their own strategic interests, will support the fight of the Arab people against their repressive rulers. Hopefully, the lives of the Arab people will take a turn for the better.
Postgraduate study in London Presentation Radisson Blu Hotel, Cape Town, Waterfront 8002 on Tuesday 8 March at 18.30 This presentation will provide information on programmes of study, the application process, our scholarship opportunities and life in London. King’s College London is The Sunday Times University of the Year and one of the world’s top 25 universities.* To register for the event please email: Stephen.Pigott@kcl.ac.uk *QS World University Rankings, 2010
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a King’s Fellow since 1978
www.kcl.ac.uk/southafrica
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Features
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” HELPING HAND (left) – Street performances all across town left audiences left baffled. as UCT lecturer Leila Anderson in a performance entitled Strand.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL (below) -Performers dance on a Cape Town municipality garbage truck in a piece entitled Invisible Gold Pictures: Michal Malek
Michal Malek FROM 21 to 26 February, the Spier Public Arts Festival, ‘Infecting the City’, once again transformed the streets of Cape Town for the fourth year running. Train poetry, garbage truck choreography, and mermaid marketing were just a few spectacles on the pavement and rooftop stages in and around the Cape Town Central Railway Station.
Infecting the City was a melting pot of performance in the truest sense. Bailey advocated the tearing down of boundaries and separations between performance and art forms. Beautiful and engaging pieces could be seen every day throughout the festival. From multimedia installations, to opera sung to the rhythm and dance of Drum Majorettes, through to long walks punctuated by poetry through Cape Town’s hidden historical treasures.
Infecting the City is a festival which aims to bring the Arts to the people of Cape Town. Brett Bailey, the Curator of the festival, stated, “The Arts are often thought of as only accessible to the rich and the educated, the purpose of Infecting the City is to make the Arts freely accessible to the people of Cape Town.” This festival reduced the capital A in Arts to a regular ‘a’. A small a for: accessible, available and awe-inspiring.
“Treasure” was the theme of this year’s Infecting the City, which came from the lingering euphoria of the World Cup, a tribute to the treasures of Cape Town that made this international event possible. The focus of the festival included things about the city that we, as the citizens of Cape Town, take for granted but which are or were vital to the birth and survival of the city.
The festival was centred on the plaza in front of the central train station in Cape Town. Thousands of commuters, travellers and tourists use this station every day. Many of whom seemed to not be aware that Infecting the City was taking place.
The statement; “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” also rang true at the festival as many performances, installations and artworks used recycled materials, or what would normally be considered trash, as material for expression.
However, for a week in the lives of train-riding Capetonians, their journey would take them through a massive and free theatre stage. “It energises people, most of whom, were simply going to work or on their lunch break but it also bemuses and provokes them,” Bailey said about the festival. This statement is true for anyone who was present at the festival; the air around the station was almost palatable with anticipation.
The musical talents of Cape Town were also a highlight of the festival, which included slam poetry, jazz, and traditional Xhosa song and dance. Bailey hopes that in time the Spier Public Arts Festival will grow to greater grandeur, and he plans to increase the presence of music at the festival.
Infecting the City had made its presence known and massive crowds would gather and await the performances. Some performances were scheduled, some required booking, some took place all day long, and some happened when you least expected it. And all of them were free.
Next year promises to be bigger and better. If by reading this article you have discovered Infecting the City for the first time then congratulate yourself, you have inadvertently participated in this year’s festival theme by discovering a true treasure of Cape Town. Picture: michael.currin.co.za
Features
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PLAYING WITH FIRE (right) A Cape Town Yiddish party band performed during the festival. Giving a contemporary twist to traditional music, the band merges Balkan elements with Klezmer music to create a unique type of dance music. Pictures: michael.currin.co.za
THE ROW OF CANS AND THE PAPER MACHÉ HAND HOLDING FLOWERS - An installation from “Slices of Life” uses recyclable material from 200 Cape Town houses to raise awareness about environmental conservancy.
PLASTIC FANTASTIC - Playing with Fire perform on a stage made entirely out of rubbish and recyclable materials.
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Features
ARTS & CULTURE
Satisfaction at the Design Indaba Melissa van Rooyen FROM driftwood furniture and hand-made leather shoes, to delicately crafted ceramics, edible designer brooches and life-size rabbit candles, This year’s Design Indaba promised to be bigger and better than ever… The Design Indaba, held from 25-27 February, is an annual expo hosted in Cape Town at the CTICC for new and established local designers to show off their best works to the public and several international buyers. Each of the 260 exhibitors are handpicked by a panel of South Africa’s best designers, stylists, critics and design industry experts, which explains the high standard and quality of every product showcased. The Design Indaba aims to awaken the patriot inside each of its visitors, as only local designs and locally manufactured products are included. Truly a Proudly South African Experience!
The products include anything you can imagine sectioned into categories that range from advertising, architecture, craft, décor, film, fashion, graphic- and interior design to jewellery, new media, publishing, product design, and visual media – which means there is something for everyone. The friendly exhibitors are all very eager to tell you about their products, without necessarily expecting you to buy something. The general feeling is very neighbourhood-market like with everyone chatting and thoroughly enjoying the great entertainment and exceptional design. The refreshments didn’t disappoint either. The Earth Fair Food Market’s variety of tasty meals made sure the crowds weren’t left hungry. Handmade, gourmet pies, sushi, Thai curries and a variety of pastries, burgers and wraps was on the menu. Grolsch, one of the main sponsors of Design Indaba 2011, provided refreshing, ice-cold beers while Woolworths served a variety of their famous organic coffees. The majority of the products were made from natural, recycled or
environmentally friendly materials which gave the impression that there is a spirit of conserving natural resources among our local designers. Is this the start of a revolution? Exhibitors included Tanielle Bell’s Forgetmeknot line of bags, brooches and jewellery all created from cast-off materials like plastic bags, fabrics and wood. Muizenburg-based Skermunkil Design Studio was one of the popular jewellery stalls with cartoon-like characters perched on earrings, necklaces and rings, all at very affordable prices. Chapel Clothing designer Caleb Pedersen exhibited his range of unique handmade backpacks, ideal for university, which can be seen at www.chapelclothing.co.za. Famous designers included Carrol Boyes with a range of her latest kitchenware, David West with his unique range of clothing and furniture and Woodhead’s with their collection of genuine local leather products. Also spotted was Elle Décor’s editor Laureen Rossouw, taking a peek at some new, young design talent. Leaving the Expo you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Enriched, inspired, motivated. The words: “So worth R60!” echoing through the hallways. Nothing about this year’s Design Indaba was average and yet there are talks of doing it even bigger and better next year…
VALUE FOR MONEY – Bartél Sobeit Studio’s “Scream”. Patrons relished in one-of a-kind art pieces at reasonable prices. Picture: Gemma Cowan Picture: flickr.com
Being the sixth Indaba, you can be sure that organisers have everything planned out, to the finest detail: from the sponsors to the parking, food and entertainment. Even ticket sales ran very smoothly despite the unexpectedly large turnout. The expertly laid-out floor plan really makes the traffic flow quickly and smoothly and enables
you to admire every stall from up close. The mood inside the expo is very laid back and relaxing, allowing you to browse at your own pace.
The RAM Diary Xavier Van Der Zandt ONE of the current realities of music journalism is that there has to be an angle; a thing that sets the story apart from banal reviews and more questions about where an act got its name. As a sweet sacred infant, RAMfest has more angles than Babylonian geometry.
STAR-STUDDED - RAMfest 2011 promises to be bigger and better than previous years.
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The first time I encountered this chaotic festival was on the end of an all-night bender that left me drinking Bioplus like berry juice in the driver’s seat of what looked more like a breadloaf than a van. I drove past a poultry slaughter house and into the great unknown of the Nekkies Resort. From then onwards, the going got weird. Music aside, it must be understood that escapism is integral to the human mind. It stops us, to some degree, from completely losing it. It is no coincidence that most of the crazies out there are all presidents or some other variety of workaholic. It suffices to say that the feeling of universal oneness that swept over me on that body-humid night in 2010 – just before the crowd turned into a gluttonous mass of writhing vampires – had never been with me before and has never been with me since. You might say mushroom – I say RAMfest. This year promises to be no different. There will be appearances by UK-based Funeral For A Friend and the US Billboard charting Alkaline Trio, satanic punk enemies of all that is wholesome, who by their vocalist’s own admission, “Never in a million years did I
think I would ever be saying… we’re really looking forward to [playing in] South Africa”. But there are stories closer to home which cannot be. Our very own The Sleepers will be playing their last festival show with vocalist Simon Tamblyn. Drummer Steven Jacobson shares that it has been a difficult time for the band, “It’s emotional for us, it’s a sh*t time for us but it doesn’t mean we’re falling apart”. It would be foolish to miss a band of their stature sing their swansong before opening a new chapter. On the other side of the braaivleis divide, Van Coke Kartel will be putting on a show that will either see them emerge as MK Award victors or victims of robbery. On some other sunshiny-day in a Buitenkant pub, slinging beer and tequila, Francois Van Coke called Skop, Skiet en Donner “…the pinnacle of what we’ve done,” while bassist Wynand Myburgh expounded on their then-new philosophy of “Weird is good.” I remind you that this was before their Maniac video, which entrenched that ideology. There is, as always, more. Die Antwoord will be making an anticipated, for whatever reason, homecoming, while Not My Dog returns to the RAMfest stage. The electro tent features the French DJ Tom Deluxx. There is just too much. This is sensory overload. Be warned though, I have seen too many middle-aged Twihards not to drive a wooden implement through your chest if you damn pesky vampires reveal yourselves again.
11
Features
The King’s Speech
REVIEWS
BOOKMARK
Tobie Taljaard
Calvin Sholtz ‘The Finkler Ques on’ by Howard Jacobson
IF IT’S true that it’s 10% what you say and 90% how you say it, then Prince Albert – Berty to his friends – was in big trouble. It also didn’t help his cause that he lived during the same period as Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler: two of history’s greatest public speakers.
THIS IS a story about three friends: Julian, Sam and Libor. Julian, however, feels excluded from the trio: first, because he is not a widower; and second, because he is not Jewish. Julian then becomes the victim of an apparent anti-Semitic mugging, and becomes convinced that he is a Jew, or a Finkler (as he likes to call them). He also falls in love with a Jewish woman and this sets him off to learn all about their culture, even considering converting. This book had me laughing all the way through.
The King’s Speech chronicles Berty’s journey from a prince with an incredibly debilitating speech impediment to a king that addresses the nation with confidence and belief. Colin Firth’s portrayal of a man whose words are powerfully ensnared in his mouth has already earned him a Golden Globe and is certainly Oscar-worthy. The King’s Speech leads all other Oscar nominees with a solid 12.
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With his father dead and his older brother, King Edward VIII, looking to abdicate in order to continue his maverick ways by marrying an American socialite, Berty reluctantly prepares to become the monarch of Britain.
Pictures: google.com
Also nominated for an Oscar is Geoffrey Rush, who masterfully plays Lionel Logue, an odd yet highly effective speech therapist discovered by Berty’s wife. The relationship goes beyond the professional realm and the more Berty opens up to Logue the less he stammers.
‘The Making of Spud – The Movie’ by John van de Ruit and Ross Garland
OSCAR-WORTHY - The film is a expected to take home the gold. Helena Bonham Carter delivers a classy cameo as Berty’s wife, who we now know as Queen Elizabeth II. It was intriguing to see her role as a supportive wife, a caring
mother as a figure very much in the public eye. The film comes together exceptionally, largely on the back of outstanding acting and the pure chemistry between Firth and Rush.
THE AUTHOR of the book Spud and the producer of the recent film first met as boys and then later again at drama school. So, when the opportunity came up for them to work together on bringing the book to the screen, it seemed like destiny. That said, the movie still took five years to make, and had to overcome many hurdles — such the search for funding and a big ‘star’. Almost as funny as Spud itself, this book offers a fascinating insight into the world of filmmaking.
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12
Features POLITICS
State of the Nation address leaves us hanging of delivering the service for which they have been contracted. The government will have to spend millions of rands in reparation work on houses that weren’t built properly. It is of utmost importance that Zuma holds municipal and provincial government administrators accountable for such maladministration. The Zuma administration has been plagued by service delivery protests, a deteriorating morale of public sector workers, increasing unemployment rates, and growing tension between the media and the ANC-led government. Zuma needs to forge a way forward with his ministers to give us clarity on what the government’s intentions are regarding the above issues. There has been no clarity on how he intends to tackle the ongoing industrial action by various union workers.
Omogolo Taunyane THE STATE of the Nation address is the most anticipated political event of the year. The streets of Cape Town were filled with traffic and police officials, as South Africans from all walks of life waited to hear the new direction of, and improvements to, the country. The Zuma government has been under enormous pressure to deliver on promises made by the ANC. South Africa is in its seventeenth year of democracy; the more the needs of South Africans aren’t met, the more the population grows impatient with the government. As millions of South Africans tuned in to hear some new
promises to do things differently, our President ensured that he addressed some of the biggest problems our country faces. Service delivery was at the top of the agenda, with unemployment and economic transformation following suit. President Zuma declared this year to be “a year of job creation through meaningful economic transformation and inclusive growth”. He introduced a new Growth Plan that will serve as a guide to achieving proposed goals. We are yet to hear in more detail what this plan entails, and how we form part of this picture. Zuma is right: South Africa needs urgent attention in aiding the
unemployment crisis that continues to deteriorate the livelihoods of its citizens. He has shown initiative with his interactive government through the Presidency’s Facebook page. It is through hearing from the younger generations that he can start addressing some of our deepest concerns. Many voiced their thoughts regarding issues which are specific to their communities, requesting the government to take action. As is always the case, service delivery was a recurring theme. Zuma ensured that the demands of South Africans would be met in due time. Zuma attributed the slow delivery of houses, electricity, and
Picture: Independent Newspapers
sanitation services to the legacy of apartheid underdevelopment
“The
time has come for President Zuma to respond to the calls of his people faster and more efficiently.
“
UNFULFILLED - Many critics have dismissed President Zuma’s address as mere political rhetoric.
and colonial oppression. This can no longer be a legitimate reason when tenders are being awardedto to individuals who are incapable
The State of the Nation address was unfulfilling for people who have been kept waiting for so many years. Many questions are yet to be answered by the Zuma administration. Are the police going to start making arrests? Are we going to see less tenders being awarded to friends and families of government officials? Are we going to see more ministers, premiers, mayors, counsellors being held accountable for actions that are costly to taxpayers? The time has come for President Zuma to respond to the calls of his people faster and more efficiently. If Zuma wants to improve the wellbeing of the South African citizentry, his government should employ more aggressive measures to attain goals specified.
Bono and Hofmeyr in freedom of speech debate Michelle October A 360-degree tour wasn’t enough for U2 lead singer Bono. Twentythree albums, numerous movie roles and endless racist comments weren’t enough for South Africa’s favourite Afrikaner singer, Steve Hofmeyr. It seems they’ve both decided to bounce off South Africa’s resident media clown -– Julius Malema – and his favourite song, “Shoot the Boer”. “Shoot the Boer” is the subject of a gruelling court case between the Afriforum, Julius Malema and the ANC Youth League about whether or not the song should be banned on the grounds that it is hate speech inciting violence. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Bono related the singing of “Shoot the Boer” to songs sung in the early stages of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which carried lyrics about readying guns for battle. “We sang this and it’s fair to say it’s folk music... as this was the struggle of some people that sang it over some time,” Bono said. He added that struggle songs such as Shoot the Boer have a context to be sung in, saying, “There’s a rule for that kind of music”. Steve Hofmeyr added fuel to the fire by tweeting, “I have just
dumped my R5 000 worth of U2 tickets in the Jukskei. I’m going home. I can find no context for that song. Sorry&goodbye”. Many comments emerged, most slamming both Hofmeyr and Bono for being has-beens wanting all the publicity they can get. Concerned environmentalists criticized Hofmeyr for promoting pollution. One internet user commented on a thread discussing Hofmeyr’s tweet, saying, “Oh please, Steve should already know how it feels to make stupid comments, he is a racist knob who throws fits like Malema. I bet he was only going to see them because they were white.” The racism referred to here is of Hofmeyr’s take on the murder of the Potgieter farming family in the Free State in December 2006. Steve Hofmeyr had stated on his Facebook page (in Afrikaans), “Blacks (God knows, probably not all of them, but most of those I observe) feel justified and ‘entitled’ in everything, from quotas/low matric marks to land rights/brutality.”
that Bono is ignorant of Africa’s problems.
Since Hofmeyr’s tweet and Bono’s interview, Hofmeyr had gone on to write a parody song of U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday – translated into “South African”– and added at the bottom of the song
In an interview with 702 Talk Radio two days after the parody song appeared, Bono recanted his earlier sentiments, stating that singing songs such as Malema’s “Shoot the Boer” is wildly
Cartoon by Jay Q irresponsible if they are used to “stir up more hate”. Furthermore, he stated, “that anyone should think we were pro this is barking, barking mad”. The following day Steve Hofmeyr admitted to pulling a publicity stunt to draw awareness
to farm killings, and stated on his Facebook page that he planned to hitch-hike to Cape Town with Ofm radio for the cause. He asked U2 to accompany him if they could, and has called their short-lived public feud a truce.
13
Features
INTEREST
A day in the life of a drama student HAVE you ever found yourself standing at the North Stop on Upper Campus surrounded by noisy and colourful students? They tend to be trendy. They tend to be loud. And damn, are they good looking. Then with the appearance of a bus bearing “Hiddingh Hall” written in orange LED’s across the front, they disappear. North stop is left silent and lonely. Have you ever wondered where this mysterious Jammie actually goes? Hiddingh Campus, is not only the very first UCT campus (ever!), it is also home to the most creative and vibrant students at the university. The citizens of planet Hiddingh consist of Fine Artists, Post-Grad film hipsters and of course, the most ostentatious of the lot, the Drama Kids. Nick Campbell, a fourth-year Theatre and Performance student, guides us through a typical day at Hiddingh. Drama campus tends to wake up around 10am, but don’t let that late starting time fool you. Drama students, especially the Theatre and Performance students, basically live and breathe Hiddingh. Rehearsal times often go on till midnight. There is no Maths, Economics or Physics for these students. Lectures at Hiddingh consist of movement, voice and acting classes. Typical sit-down theory lectures still happen; this is always put into practice on stage.
It’s no surprise that with classes dedicated to movement, use of the body and rehearsal times running late into the night, Drama students are often as fit as pro athletes.
his lecturers was none other than Kevin Spacey. Nick is also in the running for the prestigious Fleur De Cap award for Most Promising Student Actor.
“Sword
UCT Drama students and graduates are making themselves known in the cities theatres. The hilarious show Nic Danger and the Rise of the Space Ninjas is UCT-born and bred. Infecting the City, Taming of the Shrew and a menagerie of other plays and performances all have UCT Drama kids playing their part to entertain, enlighten and inspire you.
fighting classes can be added to the repartee of the play’s cast. Suddenly, your Eco’s lectures are looking really boring, aren’t they?
“
Michal Malek
Nick Campbell compares a threehour Shakespeare performance to a gruelling game of rugby. In the upcoming run of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, starting on 11 March, Campbell plays the sleek and smooth Mercutio. Campbell excitedly describes rehearsals as going great and believes that this year’s Romeo and Juliet, under the direction of the acclaimed Geoffrey Hyland, will be a show not to be missed. Sword fighting classes can be added to the repartee of the play’s cast. Suddenly, your Ecos lectures are looking really boring, aren’t they? At this point you might be thinking; yes, sounds fun, but where is all the glitz and glamour of the stage and screen? Nick recently returned from the New York Film Academy, where one of
So the next time you get a free ride to Long Street, or simply get on the wrong bus, take a moment to appreciate the people of Hiddingh Campus. These are the future stars and starlets of the country — you may even sit next to someone who will one day be famous. And also remember, this is a profession that is taxing both on the body as well as the mind and that Drama students are not simply K-Hiddingh around.
DRAMARAMA - Unlike commerce students who will be smiling all the way to the bank, drama students learn how to smile for free! Picture: Rachel Doyle
Picture: flickr.com
Top 10 unhealthy student habits Rachel Botsis Food obsession The term ‘first-year-spread’ wasn’t created for nothing. Students, particularly in first year, feel the need to overdo it on the food front. Any food special is flooded with students, eating more than they need to, for example, Spur-2-for-1.
Freebies Student heaven. Whether it be Elizabeth Arden, ugly arm bands, or promotional cd’s — we “need” it. It’s time to realise most of it sits in the bottom of your bag.
We all love a Spur burger, but eating two within a minimal time space is not necessary. Perhaps the uppe- class folk are more familiar with all-you-can-eat sushi deals for R99, however you’ll spend less if you just eat a more humanly portion.
All roads lead to Tin Roof Learn to know when to stop. Going to Tin Roof for the 3rd night in a row is not promoting your social health, but continuing to another club after Tin Roof – is destroying your social health.
Levels of laziness There is a theory that if you don’t wash your hair for some time your ‘natural hair oils’ clean it for you. This is not extremist or ingenious – it’s unhealthy. Another lazy habit popular among males is overgrown hair. Please tell us, why the fixation of looking like a yeti as soon as you leave school?
After-hours
LEGALISE SADISM - Just because it’s legal with rocket fuel, doesn’t mean you should. Excessive drinking
Financial savvy Some students forfeit certain areas of their lives in an effort to save maximum money. Selling textbooks for any amount on a “cash-right-now” basis is desperate, but still okay. Thinking you can live off Maggi two minute noodles or rusks for a month is hazardous.
is what is going to go down on campus — is an unhealthy habit or at least, it will leave you in bad health. Whatever the general Cape Town weather is that day, campus will be the opposite, which leaves you freezing in your summer dress, and sweating in your K-way jacket.
It starts with a pre-match, followed by a jug from Springboks, the 2-for-1 special at tin roof, and then some extremists continue to drink to get rid of the hangover. Our justifications to drink are also slightly draining. Two weeks ago, it was the last Thursday of vac so we had to party, two days later it was the last Saturday so
of course we had to venture out then too. Just when you think all you celebratory opportunities are finished, Thursday 17 Feb came around, the first Thursday of the semester, so of course we drink then... need I say more?
The excessive use, the walking and talking, the constant ‘BBMing’, the ping and the urgency of it all are health threats. Neglecting academic work, neglecting face to face conversations are not only unhealthy... but poisonous. It’s named a berry for good reason.
The poisonous berry UCT weather forecast The list of health effects due to the ever-popular Blackberry, is endless.
Trusting that the weather forecast
Somehow, at 4am, anything and everything seems appropriate to eat, but would you ever catch yourself indulging in that during daylight? From hoards of food at Steers, to thinking that eating a Long street rat roll is okay – stop. Jam-packed Jammies More specifically, the Claremont Jammie. Squeezing that many people into a Jammie is outrageous and being trapped between two doors for 15 minutes, is definitely not healthy.
Sports 14 SUPER RUGBY 2011: A new era awaits Tobie Taljaard IT SEEMS a strange decision by the organisers of the Super Rugby tournament to arrange the fixtures they way they have. The new expanded version of the competition consists of three divisions; the South African, Australian and New Zealand conferences. Each team plays the other four teams in their local conference twice. They also play four of the five teams in each of the other two conferences. This means that in 2011 we will get to witness a team such as the Cheetahs take on the Lions a minimum of four times, yet never experience important derbies like the Stormers versus the Waratahs (last year’s semi-final) or the Bulls versus the Blues. But it is what it is, and fans can still look forward to a jam-packed World Cup year of rugby. The Bulls Their hard fought victory against the Lions in week one was closer than they would have liked, yet this brings a major positive for the reigning champions; they were able to overcome a Lions outfit that is far tougher to beat than they were twelve months ago. The Bulls seem to thrive under their “favourites” tag and come back stronger each year. Along with having the perfect mix of experienced veterans and exciting young players, such as the electric Gerhard van den Heever, they also
have the easiest fixture schedule, playing only four of their 16 games in Australasia. Predicted finish in the South African conference: 2nd The Stormers Even though they were utterly outplayed in last year’s final, the DHL Stormers were able to make the final for the first time in franchise history. This year they seem to be even stronger. Having Jean de Villiers back in the starting 15 for the entire campaign allows the Cape Town boys a backline that can compete with the best. They line up behind a world-class pack that took them to last years’ historic showpiece in Soweto. Peter Grant returns from Japan with mid-season form and confidence after he guided his team, The Kobelco Steelers, to the Japanese league playoffs. Although the players are playing down the hype surrounding their chances, there is good reason to be optimistic for the men in blue and white stripes. Prediction: 1st The Sharks The Sharks have come off a win in last year’s Currie Cup final with plenty of confidence. Rugby fans in Durban, in fact the whole country, have become intoxicated by wonder-kid Patrick Lambie. Schalk Burger will forever have an imprint of Pat’s hand on his
face after “that” hand-off during the youngsters man-of-the-match performance in his first major final. The Banana Boys definitely play the most exciting brand of rugby in the country but one can’t help but feel that this season comes a year too soon for their inexperienced backline. With this year’s World Cup signalling the end of an era of sorts, expect the Sharks to be the custodians of South African rugby for the foreseeable future. Prediction: 3rd The Lions As mentioned, the Lions cannot be seen as the same team as they were in 2010. Coming off the back of the worst season possible in Super Rugby, it would be easy to see this young team as nothing but walk-overs. However, we saw glimpses of what they are capable of during the 2010 Currie Cup season when they finished just outside the semi-final places on the log. The additions of tight-head prop, Pat Cilliers and scrum-half, Rory Kockott add valuable depth to go with the excitement being generated by the lively Elton Jantjies. Every team has to start building at some point. Do not forget the 2002 Bulls who finished bottom of the log, without a single victory, yet have now won three of the last four Super Rugby tournaments. Prediction: 4th
MARCHING TO PRETORIA - Will the Bulls secure their fourth Picture: Gallo Images Super Rugby title in five years? The Cheetahs I feel very little optimism for the newly named Toyota Cheetahs. For some reason they have never managed to translate their domestic success onto the bigger stage. 2011 will be no different. Yes, they may be able to pull an upset or two like they did last year
against the Hurricanes, but atleast they can look forward to a tussle with the Melbourne Rebels for the wooden spoon. Despite their reasonably strong tight five, they lack an assertive leader and an experienced or skilful backline. Prediction: 5th
UCT gym: worth its weight in gold? Hélène Demetriou SITUATED ON Lower Campus alongside Graça Machel residence, the UCT gym is just a Jammie ride away. The gym is able to boast all new equipment, as well as disability facilities. It is open throughout the year from 6am to 9pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from 8am to 7pm on weekends. Now as a student I know that reading about anything involving physical effort and expenses is extremely painful to most, but let me make this simple for you, by giving you some reasons why you should join. Price Places like Planet Fitness or
Virgin Active can charge you anywhere between R425 and R645 just as a joining charge. At UCT gym you only pay R450 as an annual, once-off fee. Ashanti Mguga, the receptionist, also explains that students who cannot afford to pay the full R450 can choose a less expensive package, “If you can’t come for the R450, you can always choose the R250 package.” Mguga explains, “The only difference is that you can only enter the gym between 8:30am and 3pm, Mondays to Sundays.” Convenience The gym is literally right around the corner for students. A lot of students may complain that the gym is not located on Upper Campus but students should see this as a positive as the relatively
small facility would be constantly packed if it was located on the main campus. It is easy enough to fit gym time into your daily university timetable and it is a good idea to visit the gym in between long lecture breaks. You could even take your notes to read while you are on the treadmill, killing two birds with one stone, while losing a couple stones yourself of course. Safety The gym is always safe because you have to produce your student card upon entrance, ensuring that only UCT students and staff can get into the gym. Your bags are kept safe at reception in a designated compartment.
Good Facilities The gym has all the basic exercise equipment including weights, treadmills, bikes, step-machines, as well as a studio room where one can refill at the water-fountain, take out their frustration on the punching bag, or just relax on the yoga mats. Otherwise, take a cue from the Jersey Shore stars and admire your ummm…“situation” in the huge mirrors.
about the lack of substantial air-conditioning, and how the bathrooms could be cleaner. Tomas, however, has pointed out that the people who have complaints about the gym are normally the same people causing the problems. “They don’t follow the rules, like bringing towels to clean up after themselves or dressing appropriately for the gym,” he says.
According to gym supervisor, Siseko Tomas, 4:30pm to 7pm has been labeled a time of “madness” but after 7:30pm “the peak goes down”. Some students have opted to move to a different gym as a result of over-crowding.
The Vibe The gym is super chilled and it never feels as though anybody is judging you. They show MTV and sport on the large flat screens, and it’s always fun to relax and watch while you work out.
Unfortunately, some gym members have also complained
So sign up now. It’s simple, it’s smart and it’s worth it.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR
THE COOLEST IN THE CLASS Enter the PneuDrive Challenge 2011
4233
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For more information email
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The competition is
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15
Sports
Standard Bank Pro20 Heats Up final time, and the Warriors, with big names such as Ashwell Prince, Makhaya Ntini, Nicky Boje and Mark Boucher, have plenty. Ntini seems to be finding some valuable bowling form of late, picking up 2/23 against the Lions and 1/15 against the Cobras. The Warriors will rely on these big names to carry them to victory in their semifinal matches. The last semi-final will be battled out between the Cape Cobras and the Titans. In the batting department the Cobras have relied heavily on English recruit Owais Shah who has achieved a commendable average of 53.33 at a strike rate of 135.59 through the tournament. There have, however, been too few batting performances around him. Justin Kemp has been the most economical bowler of the tournament and has been well supported by Charl Langeveld. The Cobras will, however, need to rely on their uncanny ability to triumph in tight situations.
HIT FOR SIX – Cape Cobra Owais Shah has dominated with the bat during the team’s Pro20 campaign.
Andrew Giliam WITH the ICC Cricket World Cup currently stealing the limelight in world cricket, it is easy to overlook the action that is happening in our own backyard. However, it is almost crunch time in the Standard Bank Pro20 with the semi-final stages in full swing. The Dolphins have already played the first leg of their semifinal against the Warriors, and the Cape Cobras have done battle with
the Titans. There are still two legs of each semi-final left to play, and as we have seen again and again in the Twenty20 cricket format – anything can happen. The Dolphins have looked a different team in this year’s tournament, managing to clinch the top spot after the round robin stages. In truth they have looked a different team to previous years, overcoming their greatest opponent – consistency. They were able to win four of their five log
Picture: Gallo Images
games and have looked the best team consistently throughout the competition.
what they are missing out on in the sub-continent with some very consistent performances with the bat himself.
One of the keys to their success has been the economical bowling of Kyle Abbot (5.75 runs per over) who has been ably assisted by veteran Jon Kent (6.31 runs per over). Loots Bosman, fresh off a breath-taking 42 from just 19 balls against the Lions two weeks ago, will be an exciting player to watch in the semi’s while Dale Miller is showing South African selectors
They will come up against the Warriors, a team packed with experience, but who have struggled to find the form they might have liked in this year’s competition. Too often they have found themselves on the wrong side of the result, leaving them fourth on the log. Yet, as many have said, it is often experience that counts come
Lastly, the Titans, who boast the top scorer in this year’s competition, Jacques Rudolph (212), and the best spinner in the competition, Roelof van der Merwe, will be confident of semi-final success. Traditionally the most consistent side in the South African domestic set-up, the Titans are usually a safe bet when it comes to the final stages of the competition. The upcoming matches promise to provide a thrilling conclusion to what has largely been a closely fought tournament. More importantly though, you can be sure that the depth of South African cricket will be on display.
LFC: The fall of an empire Thabang Letheo MANY FANS who experienced football in the late 20th century will argue that Liverpool Football Club is Britain’s most successful club. Their honours include winning the English League 18 times, the Football Association (FA) Cup and League Cup both seven times respectively, the European Champions League an amazing five times, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Cup three times. However, if you were to share these facts with a football fan in the present, they may think you’re speaking nonsense, or that you’ve mistaken those results with those of Manchester United. Liverpool FC was established in 1982 and they boast a very prestigious trophy cabinet but last won the English League in the 1989 / 1990 season. Ever since then, Manchester United have taken the Premier league for 11 seasons, and now both clubs are standing on a total of 18 league titles. Where did it all go wrong for this prestigious British Club?
TRUCE – Skye Pym-Siljuer, left, and Jacques Viljoen, right, shake hands after their duel at UCT Fencing’s Cape Open, held in the Sports Centre at the weekend. The pair will represent South Africa at the World Student Games in Shenzin, China. Picture: Raees Abdoola
In the summer of 1998, Gerard Houllier began his reign as manager of Liverpool FC. He had a real tough job on his hands as he had to rekindle the glory days. Although he went rather slowly in the 2000 / 2001 season, he managed to spark his team to fortunes as they won five trophies in one year, including the UEFA Cup and Super Cup. Then along came Rafa Benitez, the man who single-handedly
destroyed Liverpool FC bit by bit. He was initially hailed as the Spanish messiah after he led Liverpool FC to one of their greatest ever victories when they beat AC Milan on penalties after trailing by three goals to nil at half time in the UEFA Champions League final. The victory made him an instant hit with the fans at Anfield. He truly established himself as a master tactician by going on to win the FA Cup, finish second in the league and reach a second European Cup Final as AC Milan exerted their revenge. This, however, was where Liverpool’s downfall began as Benitez started to buy average players left, right and centre. Fernando Morientes, Mark Gonzalez, Craig Bellamy, Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin and Alberto Aquilani, all got the nod but failed to make an impact at the club despite being bought for hefty transfer fees. Some players ended up spending less than two years at Anfield, and Gonzalez as well as Keane, only spent six months at the Kop after being bought for around £19million. Benitez also let go of the influential Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. During his time at Liverpool, Tom Hicks and George Gillet took over the club and Benitez fell out with the management, further destroying the club. Even though he was allowed a hefty transfer kitty, Benitez wasted this and bought a handful of players who did not contribute to the club’s growth in any way. In total he spent £229 million on 76 players during his
tenure at Anfield between 2004 and 2009. The only purchase which was worth his time was the £20 million deal with Spanish striker, Fernando Torres. Then came the very short career of Roy Hodgson, who had a very hard job in picking up the pieces left by Benitez. After a spell of horrible results, the Liverpool FC board was left with no choice but to sack the under-fire manager. These days Blackpool FC goes to Anfield with an attacking formation in the hope of a victory unlike in the past. Now at the helm at the Kop is Kenny Dalglish, a returning hero of the club. He has already made some big decisions by allowing Torres to move to Chelsea and immediately replacing him with the hardworking Luis Suarez, and Newcastle bad-boy, Andy Carroll. Dalglish has a tough time ahead of him as he tries to restore the glory days of England’s once most feared club. With Carroll and Suarez leading the frontline, and Steven Gerrard and Raul Meireles steering the team, there is indeed hope, but Liverpool FC need to buy a centre back with a fierce reputation. One candidate may be Bolton-ace, Gary Cahill. If Liverpool FC can just rebuild their squad for next season by acquiring talent in quality rather than quantity, it will only be a matter of days before Blackpool FC go to Anfield with fear once more.
Brown wins big in Vegas
SPORTS BITES
RUGBY: Bok and Cheetahs flanker Juan Smith to miss Rugby World Cup after tearing Achilles tendon.
FOOTBALL: Pirates score late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto derby.
IKEY TO BLITZBOK - Old boy Kyle Brown is flying the flag high for UCT and South Africa as Springbok Sevens captain.
Tarryn Steenekamp SPRINGBOK SEVENS captain and ex-Ikey flanker, Kyle Brown, has once again done his alma mater proud after he lead his team to HSBC Sevens World Series glory, in Las Vegas, two weeks ago. The Blitzbokke were able to secure their first Sevens World Series victory of the year as they downed resilient Fiji 24-14 in the Cup final. In an exclusive interview with VARSITY Sport, Brown told of the honour of playing for his country as well as the privilege of still being associated with UCT rugby. Now in his fourth year of playing for the Blitzbokke, having made his debut in 2008, the modest Brown made it clear that he views Blitzbok captaincy as a shared role and takes no credit for the team’s recent hot-streak in Vegas, “Before we went to Vegas, we had a solid meeting about what
Picture: Gallo Images
needed to be addressed. We wanted to concentrate on the pure basics of the game and we are pleased that our hard work paid off in the end.
on the log. We beat everyone in the round robin stages and made it to the final, sadly losing in quite an epic game.”
for several months and missing the Commonwealth Games due to a hamstring injury.
“In our team setup we strive to create an atmosphere where every player is a leader in their own right. Winning any tournament is always a great feeling but being captain of the side doesn’t change much; we enjoy the victory together because every player played their part,” Brown explained.
Brown clearly values the lessons he learnt as an Ikeys player and feels that he owes a large portion of his success to the brilliant coaching staff he worked with on the Green Mile.
He confesses that one of his favourite past times remains revisiting UCT and watching his old team in action during the Varsity Cup.
“One of the most important lessons I learnt while playing for the Ikeys was to never stop enjoying yourself out on the field,” he said.
“I love watching Ikeys rugby. It is just such a super brand of rugby to watch and I think this year’s team is incredibly talented. They all hold so much firepower and are being led by the ever-capable trooper, Nick Fenton-Wells.
“We had some top coaches at the time, like Dobbo (John Dobson) and Fleckie (Robbie Fleck), who were constantly getting us to think outside of the box as players and they have had a major influence on my career.”
“I think they definitely have what it takes to win this year’s tournament but should just take time to focus on tightening up some of their unforced errors.”
The 24-year old also spoke of his time as an Ikeys player and says that he has nothing but fond memories of his time spent in the blue and white stripes. “I hold so many wonderful memories from my time spent at UCT. In my first year with the u20s we went unbeaten, and I met so many quality people that I’ve become really good friends with. “The inaugural Varsity Cup was also a very special memory. So many people were writing us off from the beginning and I think we were touted to finish eighth (last)
In early 2010, Brown was handed the Springbok Sevens captaincy; a role that was previously held by fellow ex-Ikey, Mpho Mbiyozo. He was later named the SA Sevens Player of the Year in November, even after being ruled out of action
Brown and his chances will regroup from 1 March, ahead of their next date with destiny on the HSBC Sevens World Series tour. They will later depart for Hong Kong in a bid to further their Cup success from 25 March.
CRICKET: Proteas to face the Netherlands in their second World Cup encounter on Thursday.
RUGBY: Stormers sneak past Lions 19-16 in their first Super Rugby match of 2011.
SUPPORT THE PROTEAS DURING THEIR ICC CRICKET CAMPAIGN FIXTURES:
3 March 6am: Netherlands vs South Africa (Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh) 6 March 6am: England vs South Africa (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai) 12 March 11am: India vs South Africa (Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur) 15 March 11am: Ireland vs South Africa (Eden Gardens, Kolkata) 19 March 5:30am: Bangladesh vs South Africa (Sher-e Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur)
GOLF: Martin Kaymer overthrows Lee Westwood as world number one.