Edition 5 by VARSITY

20 May 2020 | Volume 79 | Edition 5

Teaching Across the Digital Divide

Kristin Kvevli

Source: Medium

UCT is criticised for its management of emergency remote teaching

he University of Cape Town’s handling of emergency remote teaching in response to the national lockdown has been the subject of reproval. Criticism levelled by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has been widely circulated. “A 2019 Inequality Trends report by Stats SA and Saldru highlighted the digital divide between urban and rural households and indicated that access was racialised, with 90.3% of households headed by White people having internet compared to 58.1% of Black-headed households.”

In aid of continuing the academic year in spite of COVID-19 and the resultant restrictions enforced by the Disaster Management Act, UCT students were introduced to remote learning on Monday, April 20th. The student body was informed that they could loan laptops from the university should they fulfil certain criteria, such as South African citizenship and eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, all students received data bundles regardless of their network provider. After just under a month of the university administration’s private deliberations, UCT students returned to their studies.

However, South African universities contend with a particular history. The legacy of colonialism and Apartheid persists in spatial, racial and economic inequalities and continues to affect access to resources such as the internet. A 2019 Inequality Trends report by Stats SA and Saldru highlighted the digital divide between urban and rural households and indicated that access was racialised, with 90.3% of households headed by White people having internet compared to 58.1% of Blackheaded households. This digital divide led to numerous students questioning the fairness of the university’s decision.

This meant that these students were not given an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new systems before formal teaching began as the week allocated to orientation had already passed. The SRC reported that their request to extend the orientation period was denied. Instead, the university offered to extend assignment deadlines for these students.

“According to a statement by the university, the nation-wide lockdown restricted movement and, therefore, hindered the distribution process, leaving some students without proper access for up to two weeks into the new term.”

Since then, faculties have had different approaches to emergency remote teaching. The SRC has expressed concern that certain departments have been “disregarding the circumstances of students.’’ Some courses have prioritised students’ mental health and greatly reduced the amount of work to make it manageable, while others have maintained or increased the workload to ensure that the course covers all its originally intended content. Varying methods of online teaching have been observed, with some courses utilising lecture videos, forum discussions, and external Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications. However, not every course is providing the same amount of material to the same degree. The SRC has, thus, urged students to report any inconsistencies in their online experience.

The SRC raised concerns about this lack of access and criticised the university for failing to supply laptops to all students before the official opening of the new term. According to a statement by the university, the nation-wide lockdown restricted movement and, therefore, hindered the distribution process, leaving some students without proper access for up to two weeks into the new term.

The SRC has expressed concern that certain departments have been “disregarding the circumstances of students.’’

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NEWS

Benatar Responds to Coverage of 2015 Allegations UCT Professor of Philosophy, David Benatar, has broken his silence on the coverage of a 2015 allegation of bigotry by a student.

Source: UCT News

Jeremy Simpson

n comments to the Daily Nous in April this year, UCT Professor David Benatar responded to the reporting of an allegation of racism, sexism and ableism made against him in 2015 by Busi Mkhumbuzi, a former student.

“Moreover, Benatar, an anti-natalist, claims that Mkhumbuzi used his unorthodox philosophical views as fodder to support her allegation of bigotry.”

When contacted by VARSITY News, Ms Mkhumbusi did not offer any further comment on either the accusations made in 2015 or the recent comments made by Professor Benatar. The accusations arose in 2015 after Prof. Benatar refused to grant Ms Mkhumbuzi a Duly Performed (DP) certificate for his first-year ethics class. After hearing about this, Mkhumbuzi claimed on social media that Benatar’s decision was motivated by his “racist, sexist and ableist” views; however, University officials, including former Vice Chancellor Max Price, maintained Benatar’s decision was justified.

The Director of the UCT Bioethics Centre and Professor of Philosophy, who was initially unable to comment on the matter, took issue with Daily Nous’ On deciding to award Mkhumbusi her Duly Performed Certificate, Dr Price reporting. Despite being unable to offer further comment at the time of the stated: “I reject emphatically any suggestion that the original decision by Prof. article, Prof. Benatar advised commenters on the website “who were offering Benatar, or the subsequent appeal decisions, were in any way racist.” negative judgments in the comments section … to suspend judgment until they have all the relevant facts”. “According to numerous reports, Ms Mkhumbuzi was refused DP because she did not meet explicit attendance requirements for the course.” In particular, Benatar objected to the accuracy of the 2016 article’s headline, “Student Faces Tribunal for Calling Philosophy Professor ‘Racist’”. In his response published Thursday, April 30th, he argues that this headline misrepresented what was happening since Ms Mkhumbuzi was facing more than According to numerous reports, Ms Mkhumbuzi was refused DP because she one disciplinary complaint at the time, including complaints for fraudulently did not meet explicit attendance requirements for the course. In a statement signing an attendance register, defamation, and invading the Philosophy De- emailed to the South African philosophical community, Benatar claimed, “she missed 14 lectures and the medical certificates covered no more than four partment’s administrative office. of those absences”. She also admitted to fraudulently signing an attendance In 2019,Mkhumbuzi officiallyapologized to the universityfor the accusations register during a meeting with Prof. Benatar on September 7th, 2015. she made against Benatar, making “an unconditional retraction of the The disciplinary proceedings against Ms Mkhumbuzi, Benatar claims, were derogatory social media posts I put in the public domain in 2016. consistently delayed for three years following the incident because of both “the University’s failures and partly because of Ms Mkhumbuzi’s skilful avoidMoreover, Benatar, an anti-natalist, claims that Mkhumbuzi used his unorth- ance techniques”. odox philosophical views as fodder to support her allegation of bigotry. “Ms Mkhumbuzi, in support of her allegations that I had treated her in a discrimi- Benatar also claims that current Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Pakeng decidnatory manner, offered not only lies but also caricatures of my philosophical ed to withdraw all charges against Busi Mkhumbuzi despite assuring him that she would not do this at a meeting in early January 2019. A timeline from Polviews on affirmative action and decolonization.” iticsWeb suggests that the Vice-Chancellor indicated she would be dropping In 2019, Mkhumbuzi officially apologised to the university for the accusations all charges against Ms Mkhumbuzi in exchange for an apology. The University she made against Benatar, making “an unconditional retraction of the deroga- declined to make any further public comments on the matter since the “process has concluded in accordance with UCT’s policies.” tory social media posts I put in the public domain in 2016.”

NEWS Sudan Criminalises Female Genital Mutilation Anti-FGM law joins a movement towards pro-women legislation in Sudan.

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5| Page 3

Controversial Strandfontein Shelter for the Homeless Closes Strandfontein shelter for the homeless remains contentious while the City of Cape Town refutes accusations as “fake news”. Caitlin MacDonald

s the Strandfontein shelter for the homeless gradually closes, the site remains enmeshed in censure and court challenges.

Source: Aljazeera

“Residents will be relocated to various backpackers and shelters around the city or housed in ‘prefabricated structures’ on vacant land outside existing shelters.”

Caitlin MacDonald

n Friday May 1st, Sudan concretized the work of women’s rights campaigners, and outlawed female genital mutilation (FGM). This stipulates that those found guilty of performing the operation face three years’ imprisonment and a fine. The criminalisation is the latest in a series of gains for women’s political enfranchisement in the country following the ousting of the country’s controversial former leader, Omar al-Bashir, in April 2019. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has affirmed that the transitional administration must centralise women’s participation as “Sudanese women played a very big part in [the country’s] revolution.” Presently, five government ministries are headed by women and several Bashir-era laws restricting women’s dress, study, and public congregation have been repealed. “Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has affirmed that the transitional administration must centreralise women’s participation as“Sudanese women played a very big part in [the country’s] revolution.” FGM is widespread in the region, with the United Nations estimating that 87% of Sudanese women aged between 14 and 49 have been subjected to some form of genital mutilation. According to a report by the campaigning group 28 Too Many, many of these mutilations were enacted on girls between the ages of 5 and 9. Operations are commonly

performed by midwives in hospitals in a manner which Nafisa Mohamed Bedri, Professor in Reproductive Health at the Ahfad University for Women, has accused of contributing to the normalisation of FGM. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as the “traditional harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons”. The organisation asserts that this can prevent sexual pleasure and lead to infection, psychological trauma, excessive bleeding, and even death. “FGM is widespread in the region, with the United Nations estimating that 87% of Sudanese women aged between 14 and 49 have been subjected to some form of genital mutilation.” According to the 2010 Sudan Household and Health Survey (SHHS), the rationale behind the practice of FGM was the belief that it provides “purification, cleanliness and hygiene, acceptability within the group, and [reduces] sexual desire”. However, campaigns such as the Saleema Initiative have used local idioms to contest this perspective. Evaluations of the campaign published in PLOS One demonstrate that the association of the anti-FGM stance with the value of “Saleema” (defined as “pure, intact and unharmed”) has been successful in creating opposition to genital mutilation. The 2019 SHHS revealed that more than half of Su-

The phased closure of the Strandfontein site began on Friday, May 1st and is set to end on Wednesday May 20th. Dr Zahid Badroodien, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health, indicated that the residents will be relocated to various backpackers and shelters around the city or housed in “prefabricated structures” on vacant land outside existing shelters. Towards the end of April, a number of shelter residents formed the Strandfontein Homeless Committee after feeling excluded from planning their own safe housing. Committee member Carlos Mesquita stated: “Throughout this whole process we were ignored and now we are taking a stand. We are not at all happy with conditions at the camp”. The Committee has since hired an attorney, Vernon Seymour, who also represents the Strandfontein Ratepayers and Residents Association. He is aiding in their pursuit of an order from the Western Cape High Court to declare the City’s handling of the shelter in violation of the Disaster Management Act. However, Seymour has been barred from the site by the City of Cape Town.

Soon after its opening, a report conducted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemned the shelter for being overcrowded and unhygienic, claiming that “the site is in gross violation of national and international human rights and must be closed down with immediate effect”. In the report, Dr Gilles van Cutsem from Doctors without Borders maintained that there were no health workers on site between 4pm and 8am the next morning and claimed that several residents did not have access to required chronic medication. Dr van Cutsem went on to stress the risk posed by assembling people with severe and disparate health needs in the same location: “Rather than being a place of safety, the shelter exposes vulnerable people to further harm”. Findiswe Ncuncu, a Strandfontein shelter resident, made a similar claim, describing unsafe tents shared with combative rival gangs. “Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato disputed the SAHRC’s assessment, expressing that he was ”taken aback by the shocking falsehoods contained in [the] report”.

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato disputed the SAHRC’s assessment, expressing that he was “taken aback by the shocking falsehoods contained in [the] report”. He accused the commission of bypassing official channels and releasing the report directly to the media. The city also dismissed a further claim made by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) that “Soon after its opening, a report nine law enforcement officers staconducted by the South African tioned at the shelter had contracted Human Rights Commission COVID-19. City spokesperson Lu(SAHRC) condemned the shelter thando Tyhalibongo asserted that for being overcrowded and while two staff members had tested positive for the virus, they were unhygienic.” hired temporarily and did not have contact with the shelter’s residents On Sunday April 5th, the shelter was following their diagnosis. Plato has erected on the Strandfontein Sports since registered criminal charges Ground and set to accommodate a against the SAMWU and Indepenmaximum 2000 people for the du- dent Newspapers for spreading ration of the lockdown’s initial stage. “fake news”.

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 | Page 4

EDITORIAL

The Collective EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tiyani Rikhotso editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

This is what we’ve been waiting for

DEPUTY EDITOR Gabriel Vieira editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za MANAGING EDITOR Tatenda Chibisa managingeditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za SENIOR COPY EDITOR Brad Brinkley copyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Savannah Costello juniorcopyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE EDITOR Kelsey Maggott online@varsitynewspaper.co.za CREATIVE DIRECTOR Micayla Manthe creativedirector@varsitynewspaper.co.za NEWS EDITOR Jeremy Simpson DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Caitlin Macdonald news@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Kelsey Maggott

While “together we move” through Covid-19 and online learning, the infinite possibilities that this new reality gifts us keeps my mind and my heart full. Full of hope, anxiety and wonder. We find ourselves in a moment in time where there is no such thing as “normal” and we finally have the stillness necessary to reflect and the options available to choose something different.

Within the broader context of our country, our restriction of movement has brought capitalist practices to its knees, along with its fundamentally exploitative impacts on people, animals and the environment.

“we finally have the stillness necessary to reflect and the options available to choose something different.”

In this light we find ourselves in a place where we have a choice. We can either resurrect the system, returning it to what it once was, or we can create an entirely new one, from scratch, on our terms, in our likeness. One with a more human and dignified face. One to become our new normal, one that fundamentally IS normal.

With the publication of this edition VARSITY is half way through the year. As the calm amongst the storm of other media presenting Covid-19 as the scriptural revelations upon us, VARSITY continues to produce content with a steady and focused balance between facts, emotions, support and empowerment.

FEATURES EDITOR Natasha Nkutu features@varsitynewspaper.co.za OPINIONS EDITOR Julia Rowley opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za SPORTS EDITOR James Braham sports@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE NEWS EDITOR Seth Meyer onlinenews@varsitynewspaper.co.za

“...our restriction of movement has brought capitalist practices to its knees...”

ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Hannah Van Teylingen DEPUTY ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Laylaa Edross onlinefeatures@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE OPINIONS EDITOR Temwani Nyama onlineopinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE LIFESTYLE AND SPORT EDITOR Rukaya Mosavel onlinesport@varsitynewspaper.co.za

It’s up to all of us to grab this opportunity with both hands and do our part to make it our reality. VARSITY is doing this by giving us a platform to do what we know best, using our voice to hold Within our UCT community there are people accountable, unite us in truth, students and lecturers who are heeding inspire hope and importantly - inspire the call to show up for students who action. for the lack of resources or a conducive home environment are not able to excel at distance learning. They are engaging in the needed conversations about inequality, sharing supportive petitions and are practically helping as they can (by for example, giving their data to students who desperately need it).

STAFF WRITERS Sarah Lagardien Abdullah William Barron Lerato Botha Nelisa Khwela Stefan Kirsten Bathandwa Magqaza Ntsako Mlambo Asenathi Ntamo Jack Phillips COLUMNIST Mikhail Manuel columnist@varsitynewspaper.co.z SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Salma Noor Mahomed socialmedia@varsitynewspaper.co.za SOCIAL MEDIA CORRESPONDENTS Kendal Davids Zintle Mfaku IMAGES EDITOR Ya’eesh Collins imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY IMAGES EDITOR Phelisa Kosi imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za FINANCE MANAGER Niitembu Augustinus finance@varsitynespaper.co.za ADS MANAGER Ntsako Moavodi ads@varsitynewspaper.co.za HR MANAGER Siphesande Mfaku DEPUTY HR MANAGER Vernita Caeser hr@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Applications are open for 2020!

MARKETING AND BRANDING MANAGER Nita Naidoo marketing@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Please email hr@varsitynewspaper.co.za if you are interested!

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Brad Brinkley Nelisa Khwela Motsi Macheka Tiyani Rikhotso

DESIGN Micha Mae Cerf Reabetswe Khutsoane Ntsako Moavodi

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS Send your art, poetry and photographs to: creativedirector@varsitynewspaper.co.za to be featured!

Amaranthine

By Kauthar Abrahams Mankind started with a seed just like a tree, dont you agree? As years go by we grow into these beautiful creatures. Each one uniquely different yet the same. Seasons go by changing our appearance. In autumn we may lose our leaves and winter we might feel down and blue, but just in time comes spring, giving us hope is that not true. And summer roles in with its amazing hue. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you see that everything changes. Bad times comes and goes but never stays, just like the leaves on your life tree. After every winter, summer has to come. After every dark cold night we await a bright sunny day. So surely after every hardship, ease is guaranteed.

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 |Page 6

FEATURES

4 Entrepreneurship Trends Impacting Africa Business Landscapes In 2020 & The Catalysing Effect Of COVID-19 Melissa Mbazo

frica’s entrepreneurship rate is the highest in the world. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), 22 % of Africa’s working age population segment are starting their own businesses. Spurred on by access to global markets through increased digitisation are younger generations who understand the link between entrepreneurship and the future of work, and the growth of innovation across the continent. The entrepreneurial space in Africa is expected to expand exponentially over the upcoming years. “the entrepreneurial space in Africa is expected to expand exponentially over the upcoming years. ”

Source: CHRISTINA HUNTER – ASSOCIATED

3. Boost in Female Entrepreneurial Ventures:

The trend of female entrepreneurship in Africa is not new. In fact, Africa is the only region in the world where there are more female than male entrepreneurs (The World Bank). However, while there are a rising number of female-owned start-ups and small businesses, the issue is their opportunities for success. World Bank statistics on Africa show that on average, male-owned enterprises have six times more capital than female-owned ones. “World Bank statistics on Africa show that on average, male-owned enterprises have six times more capital than female-owned ones.”

Within this burgeoning entrepreneurial environment, there are a few observed trends that are set to become even more prevalent this year. It is an unfortunate irony that our efforts to save lives through lockdown can be the source of endangerment for so many.

This year, though, a positive shift is anticipated due to female-focused initiatives such as the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) programme $61.8 million funding allocation, as well as a number of other funds and investment projects that exclusively benefit female business owners in Africa. These types The current COVID-19 global crisis is creating even more urgency of funding models will be instrumental in helping to reduce the genaround the need for an entrepreneurial approach by African markets, der gap when it comes to access to capital and operating assets for and are likely to fast-track related trends. There are 4 key African entre- women entrepreneurs on the continent. preneurship trends expected to intensify and have increased impact on the continent’s business landscape in 2020: 4. More Specialised Business Education: There will be a growing demand created by a changing business envi1. Heightened Focus on Social Responsibility: ronment (perpetuated by progressive disruptive technologies, the fuBy its sheer nature, entrepreneurship is considered as being socially re- ture of work, and so forth) for specialised business education – across sponsible - largely due to the crucial role it plays in job creation. How- the continent and various industry sectors. This relates to both school ever, there is still a need for ongoing efforts that offer benefits to local and tertiary curriculums that focus on equipping students with transcommunities and broader societal structures. While there is pressure ferrable skills linked to leadership, management and entrepreneurship. on businesses in general to positively contribute to society, there is an Once equipped with such skills and knowledge, more students will even higher expectation placed on entrepreneurs. consider an entrepreneurial path, as well as apply an entrepreneurial approach to previously traditional job roles. This will not only have an The more an entrepreneurial venture “gives back” to the community, impact on the entrepreneurship space, but on business and economic the more exposure and support it gets. Therefore, it will be imperative operations in general. for entrepreneurs to strategically analyse their business operations to incorporate social upliftment mechanisms, if these are not already part These are just 4 trends expected to shape the African entrepreneurial of their functional business model. ecosystem in 2020 and beyond, based on a “business as usual” market

progression. Again, in light of the unprecedented disruption caused by the 2020 health crisis in the form of the COVID-19 global outbreak, we The top half Generation Z’s population segment (those born between are likely to see the pace of transformation speed up intensely as the business 1995 and 2015) will be aged between 15 and 25 this year. This group of world is forced to rapidly adapt to survive. young citizens are more tuned-in than ever when it comes to their future. This includes the future of work, in which entrepreneurship plays a crucial role. Studies show that in 2020 Gen-Z individuals are more “we are likely to see the pace of transformation speed up intensely as the likely to view entrepreneurship as a viable career choice and life path business world is forced to rapidly adapt to survive.” than any other group of the population before them.

2. Younger Entrepreneurs:

“Gen-Z individuals are more likely to view entrepreneurship as a viable career choice and life path than any other group of the population before them.”

We are likely to see the pace of transformation speed up intensely as the business world is forced to adapt for survival..

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 |Page 7

The Do’s and Don’ts of Lockdown Level 4 How to remain mindful during level 4 Desiree de Wet

s the spread of COVID-19 took the world by storm earlier this year, Cyril Ramaphosa declared that South Africa is in a national state of disaster. He has ordered the people of South Africa to stay inside, with one of the strictest lockdowns in recorded history taking its toll. Since the start of May, South Africa’s lockdown has shifted from level 5 to level 4. But does this mean we are finally free from the restrictions of level 5? Not completely. We’ve all been itching to move out, go shopping and finally get Uber Eats, but we must still practice strict social distancing and good hygiene to avoid the spread of the virus. Here are some of the activities that are allowed during level 4 lockdown and how to do them safely and responsibly: • Outdoor exercise is allowed under strict regulations. People are only allowed to go out and jog or walk within 5 kilometres of their homes between 6:00am and 9:00am in the morning. You can still workout from home.

Source: Twitter/News24

•

Fast food delivery services are now available, and we can order food before curfew. But safety precautions must still be upheld.

For extra precaution, you can dispose of the takeout containers and use your own dishes. “If you are ordering food, be careful when receiving the food from the delivery driver by, for example, wearing a mask or asking them to drop the food in front of your door in order to keep a good distance.”

•

You can see family members but only if absolutely necessary. Remember to keep sanitising as you travel. “Recreational” visits are not allowed.

• Essential products beyond food, such as: clothing, hardware, stationaries, textiles, ICT equipment and more; are now available to be purchased. It is important to make sure to only go out to buy such essentials if absolutely necessary. If possible, opt for online shopping and delivery. Always wear a mask when doing so.

Even though some restrictions may have relaxed from level 5 to level 4, it definitely does not mean that the virus is not spreading. With recent information disclosing the opening of level 3 in some areas of the country by the end of the month, everyone in South Africa must still remain extremely wary of the ways in which the spread is mitigated. It is important that South Africans continue to come together and collectively fight against the spread of the virus.

“The risk of community transmission is still high, now that more people are moving around.”

We will win this fight by adhering to the rules outlined by health officials. It is also important to be patient, compassionate and to stay positive in these difficult times.

Never Have I Ever: The Identity Dilemma The new TV series challenges cultural boundaries and societal associations Mary-Anne Desai

“The use of the school is important for the festival as it places their Hindu culture into a space where Devi is constantly trying to hide it.”

ever Have I Ever may include some cringe-worthy moments of romance and laughs but it ultimately describes an Indian-Amer- Her family, struggling to find a seat in the cafeteria, and the shunning of ican teenage girl with moments that reflect self-discovery and fellow Hindu people reflects the hierarchy within her own culture like systematic dilemmas. her popularity system in school. The show includes subtle scenes where others struggle with the two Devi, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, is an Indian-American teenager cultures colliding. who just wants her sophomore year of high school to be something special after losing her father and recovering from temporary paral- Devi’s “perfect Indian cousin”, Kamala, sways from her duties of the perysis. She navigates through the noisy corridors as a super intelligent, fect Hindu daughter by having a secret American boyfriend and not post-paralyzed girl; dreaming of popularity. wanting an arranged marriage. Besides Kamala and Devi’s romantic Co-Executive producer, Mindy Kaling, known for her hit TV-show The Mindy Project, explains in an article in the New York Times, how she tried to remove the typical “gorgeous Bollywood stars” and tried to express an identity that she and other Indian-American women may relate to. This is deviated as Devi tries to shine through her idea of having a boyfriend and to obsessively guide her squad to her version of success. The show discusses and showcases Indian identity in a number of ways. Devi – along with her Indian mother and model-looking cousin, Kamala – attend their annual Hindu Festival, Ganesh Puja, which takes place at Devi’s school.The use of the school is important for the festival as it places their Hindu culture into a space where Devi is constantly trying to hide it.

lives, Devi’s mother struggles to fit into her Hindu society without her husband whilst her traditional outlook on life constantly clashes with Devi’s personality.

The show also discusses Indian identity by bringing in contact with other people. Devi, dressed in her traditional clothing, was pestered into taking a photo with a little girl who thought she was dressed up like Princess Jasmine. Taking this photo exposed Devi’s othering in a way that is degrading. Her traditional attire was viewed as a spectacle for a child and by the rest of the people in the coffee shop. Never Have I Ever describes very dramatic and mundane moments that expose mixed identity dilemmas. It highlights everyday issues where these three Indian-American women constantly question themselves through the noise of the outside world.

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COLUMN

Gareth Cliff vs Jamil Khan: The pursuit of truth and the need to unite our nation Out pursuit of social justice, noble at the start, has turned the corner where we value solutions that satisfy our emotions rather than genuinely solve our problems.

Mikhail Manuel

Our pursuit of social justice, noble at the start, has turned the corner are individuals. Gareth Cliff, although a white, male South African where we value solutions that satisfy our emotions rather than likely to have benefitted, directly or indirectly, from Apartheid, and the genuinely solve our problems. present-day normative race-based power structures in our country, is still an individual. There is something incredibly difficult to articulate when trying to describe our social relations. Tension exists wherever there is Importantly, Gareth uses his ability to empathise and allows it to difference. Birthed by injustice - both through Apartheid and the inform his belief. But what Gareth does not do in his empathy with continued underperformance by our government over the last 15 poor people living in small cramped informal houses, is also capture years. In recent years, we have seen the rise of critical social theory the anger that seethes through our nation. This is what Jamil is arguing. which repeatedly butts heads with liberalism. Both are valuable. Unity The anger, incorrectly aimed at white South Africans, has surfaced in our diversity is possible if we acknowledge two crucial facts: groups because the lived experience of so many black South Africans has consist of individuals and today, individuals are describing lived not changed. Jamil is giving voice to a dissatisfaction that has been experiences which ring true for so many others. brewing for a decade. “Frantz Fanon has been arguing, for decades, for us to understand the impact of power on social relations.”

“However, critical social theory has made an error. It forgets that we are a group of individuals.”

Frantz Fanon has been arguing, for decades, for us to understand the impact of power on social relations. It has a profound ability to make us feel seen and understood; to make us treat each other with generosity and patience; or with disdain and a smug self-righteousness. Critical social theory today has continued the work of Fanon. It has given a voice to a lived experience which has so often evaded the ordinary man’s ability to express himself. It has made popular phrases like positionality and privilege, allowing people to finally express how an interaction makes them feel because of normative power relations in our society. However, critical social theory has made an error. It forgets that we are a group of individuals.

So, what do we do? We need to solve our nation’s problems. We must address the anger. We must address our social relations. Millions of South Africans must, genuinely and sustainably, progress. The problem with the solutions that critical social theorists present is that it is premised on reversing power structures based on our demographics. However, making a black man rich and a white man poor is not justice if the same principles of injustice persists, but with a different person in power.

“Tension exists wherever there is difference.”

“We need to solve our nation’s problems. We must address the anger. We must address our social relations. Millions of South Africans must, genuinely and sustainably, progress.”

This fact is crucial for a truthful depiction of our social relations. Irrespective of demographics or trends, an individual, although belonging to a group, is always independent of that group. To truthfully depict society, we must remember that an individual is always able to empathise with another person’s experience, can build their ideas based on empathy and experience, and is always capable of change.

A black man and a white man are fundamentally equal and driven by the same fundamental hopes, fears, and instincts. They may have different experiences, but the experience is not fundamentally tied to demographics. A white man born into poverty is as fundamentally arbitrary as a black man born into poverty. Apartheid made it highly likely that today a black South African is born into poverty and a white South African born into wealth, but this outcome is not a fundamental fact.

“It has made popular phrases like positionality and privilege, allowing people to finally express how an interaction makes them feel because of normative power relations in our society.”

“Apartheid made it highly likely that today a black South African is born into poverty and a white South African born into wealth, but this outcome is not a fundamental fact.”

Jamil derides Gareth because he fits the stereotype of a privileged, white, male South African. Jamil argues that this positionality is the basis of Gareth’s call for opening the economy, which Jamil uses to disregard Gareth’s opinion because the economy is controlled by other privileged, white, male South Africans; who gained control of the economy on the back of injustice. Here lies the fundamental problem with critical social theory. In its efforts to diagnose our social problems it aggregates us to our demographics and forgets that we

The solution to our nation’s problems lies in understanding fundamental factors that allows an individual to progress. We must base our solutions on opportunity, access, excellence, and freedom. Do that in every sector of society and you will see demographics change. Lead people to introspect on their positionality but allow them to express themselves without disregarding their opinion because of their positionality. Empathise with people’s lived experiences and allow it shape your ideas but don’t forget that we all are individuals.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression on any topic by the columnist. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews |20 May 2020 | V79 E5 | Page 9

Lost at sea: the decline of UCT “…you had not yet been able to acquire the ‘Oxford [university] temper’ in intellectual matters, never, I mean, been one who could play gracefully with ideas…” - Oscar Wilde

Source: kfm.co.za

Duwayne Esau

remember the day I got the email that I had been accepted to Africa’s most prestigious university. The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) place in the academic world, as a guiding lighthouse for other institutions like it, played a role in my decision to study there. I wanted to be part of an institution with the strongest of liberal roots. It did not feel real. I was filled with emotions: I was both joyous beyond belief and terrified of what lay ahead. But, those emotions have long since passed and have been replaced with sadness and disbelief. What the University of Cape Town (UCT) has become is so far from its roots as a liberal university that it is nearly unrecognizable. UCT today is everything that the university used to stand against— it is a place of intolerance and silencing.

Yet, this is not the case. Whenever someone voices an opinion with which the dominant, or “oppressed” group as they wish to call themselves, disagrees, that person is silenced. They are called a racist, a sexist, a misogynist or any other accusatory slur. This has been an effective method employed to silence anyone without the need for engaging in critical debate. “It should be counted as one of the greatest failures of universities today: they no longer produce graduates who acquire the university temper to “play gracefully with ideas.”

“UCT today is everything that the university used to stand against— it is a place of intolerance and silencing”

Many academics have written about this, but their warnings have fallen on deaf ears. This is my warning as someone who is a part of the student populace. If we do not change this toxic culture of political correctness, then we may only be left with the university building but not a In my few years at the university it has become clear to me that the uni- university in the true sense of the word versity is no longer the institution I so dearly wanted to get accepted to. When did UCT’s decline start? It is nearly impossible these days to discuss universities in South Africa without mentioning the #FeesMustFall (FMF) movement. The FMF movement, while noble in its cause, was destructive in its methods. The then Minister of Higher Education, Naledi Pandor, told parliament that the total cost of the destruction caused by FMF protests amounted to an estimated R786 million. This amount is enough to subsidize a small university. However, the physical destruction caused FMF and subsequent student movements such as #RhodesMustFall (RMF) is nothing compared to the damage it did to the culture of university campuses across the country. These movements bred a new culture of intolerance and silencing, specifically of those with whom we do not agree. Today, this is evident on university campuses all over South Africa. The student movements turned university campuses into places where only those with the right skin tone, gender, and socio-economic status can voice their opinion. One would think that university students are keen to engage in debate even with those who disagree with them.

“If we do not change this toxic culture of political correctness, then we may only be left with the university building but not a university in the true sense of the word” The early indications of this are already there, many students do not feel safe to voice opinions anymore for fear of being ostracized. This is largely due to the fact that university departments have been invaded by left-leaning academics. Ones who no longer present different arguments which students can choose from but prescribe the arguments with which they agree. I have witnessed this myself at UCT. UCT’s iconic location on the side of Table Mountain used to be symbolic of its status as a lighthouse for other academic institutions. A guiding light home to what a university is supposed to be in the times when they are lost in currents of populism and expediency. Now it appears UCT itself is lost at sea.

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5| Page 10

OPINIONS

Schools and Safety: there should be no compromise during COVID-19 Either way you look at it, learners are going to be left behind.

Christopher Williamson

Source: Theargusreport.com

outh African schools are closed and approximately a month of “in-class” teaching time has been lost. For those with access “Can we expect social distancing in classes where there are 60 learners in to the internet, online classes have become the new norm a class which should only hold roughly 30?” and learning has to some degree continued. For those without it, let’s just say we can only hope that they are receiving some type of assistance. The education department have not released the exact plans yet, but, at the time of writing, they have indicated that they expect grade Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, issues of overcrowding, teacher reli- 7s and 12s to return to classes on the 1st of June as part of “the first ability and curriculum completion were already prevalent. Professor phase”. Letting kids back into schools is not this simple though. There Jonathan Jansen, who spoke at a webinar series hosted by The Jakes are countless measures which need to be taken, such as securing Gerwel Fellowship on April 3rd, noted that “the pandemic does not gloves, masks and sanitizers for staff and students. Another measure create inequality but highlights it.” His words echo as I write this ar- which would need to be considered is that of testing and definitely ticle. Public/Government schools are not all equipped to do online social distancing abilities in schools. Can we expect social distancing teaching, and some educators still do not know how to use online in classes where there are 60 learners in a class which should only resources (or technology in general). hold roughly 30? We cannot afford our students and teachers returning to school without being tested and definitely not without the necessary equipment and safety measures in place that are required “It should not be a matter of when our learners should return to to keep them safe. Without the necessary resources, we might find the classroom, but rather whether or not we have the resources to that infection rate would spike dramatically. facilitate this.” Where private or semi-private schools might have the funding to provide all these resources, the fact remains that not all government We must recognize that not all learners have access to the necessary schools will be able to do the same. resources for online learning, nor do their schools have the necessary resources to accommodate for online learning.When these learners Our government schools and their learners are being left behind return to school, they will be at an enormous disadvantage com- by a system that expects all to run the same race even though they pared to that of learners who attend (semi-) private schools. These have different starting points. It also expects them to end up with (semi-) private schools have been using online resources for years the same result. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, issues of structure now. Apart from the school having resources, the learners who at- and resources plagued our government schools, so how can we extend these schools most likely have access to devices enabling online pect anything different now? It should not be a matter of when our learning. There is a clear dichotomy between the education systems learners should return to the classroom, but rather whether or not we present. How does one expect a learner with nothing to run the same have the resources to facilitate this. race as the learner with everything? With the Department of Basic Education recently noting that it would be looking into reopening schools in phases, one can only imagine in what state our learners will be in, and further what the state of education will look like at the end of this year.

DISCLAIMER

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5| Page 11

Civil Liberties for Some: America’s Absurd AntiLockdown Protests White middle-class conservatives protest U.S. lockdown restrictions

Source: LA Times

Chloe Kingdom

merican protesters—who are predominately white, middle-class, Trump supporters—have been marching on state capitol grounds across the country since mid-April. In threatening displays of civil disobedience, these protesters are pressuring governors to reopen businesses and end lockdown restrictions in their states. In doing so, they are wilfully breaking the law by defying stay-at-home orders and violating social distancing regulations: they protest in groups but do not wear masks nor maintain six feet (1.8 metres) of space between them.

The US is therefore no exception to the rule—we are all suffering financially. Demands for businesses to immediately reopen therefore endangers the lives of essential service workers, who are predominantly black, indigenous, and people-of-colour (BIPOC). They are forcefully exposed to compromised environments that have a higher chance of being infected, given the US’ current infection rate and business-owners’ rush to comply with protesters’ demands to reopen. These demands also prevent companies from manufacturing and distributing enough personal protective equipment to the nation’s workers in time for them to return to safer working conditions.

“The treatment disparity between different groups of American protesters is exposed along race and class fault lines.” “Institutionalised racism protects the protesting privileges of white American middle-class conservatives”. The treatment disparity between different groups of American protesters is exposed along race and class fault lines. In the past, unarmed members of the African American community, joined by their allies, have exercised their constitutional right to protest non-violently in social justice movements, like Black Lives Matter. Their efforts were stonewalled by riot police, who responded with disproportionate acts of violence and unwarranted arrests. Ironically, these protests were in response to unarmed African Americans who were murdered by the police, without legal recourse. Comparatively, white American Trump supporters openly carried “long guns”, blocked entrances to state capitols, invaded chamber floors, and threatened state representatives. None of these protesters have been arrested nor mistreated by their local police; no riot police have been called to intervene, either.

Institutionalised racism protects the protesting privileges of white American middle-class conservatives. This is exemplified by the Republican Party’s inaction to curb the protests. The Trump administration can hardly contradict the President’s dramatic tweet to “LIBERATE” states, like Michigan, from Democratic Governors who refuse to reopen businesses. Right-wing Americans frame the anti-lockdown protests as a valiant fight against the oppressive dictates of Democrats, which has translated into real-life vitriol directed towards these leaders. Trump’s encouragement of these protests has also spurred the appropriation of language used in left-wing liberation movements to highlight the values of their cause: Conservatives have marched with placards that compare Governor leadership under lockdown to “tyranny”; and movement restrictions, to a violation of bodily autonomy.

“Demands for businesses to immediately reopen therefore endangers the lives of essential service workers”.

Privileged white Americans who demand that businesses reopen and decry the lockdown restrictions as an infringement upon their civil liberties, do so at the expense of working-class BIPOC Americans, who do not Lockdown restrictions, illness, and death are all factors which have pre- have the freedom to choose if they can or cannot return to their jobs. vented most businesses from conducting their normal operations. As a result, the global economy is currently facing its worst economic recession since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 | Page 12

OPINIONS

Alcohol during Lockdown: a Distraction or a Danger?

Source: Business Live

Emma Sacco

s Covid-19 continues to spread throughout South Africa, the laws on various amenities remain strict despite our progression into level four of lockdown. One of the biggest acting controversies has been the ban of alcohol, as many struggle without their weekend glass of wine and express dismay at the lack of such a simple pleasure. While this is understandable and I’m sure many of us have complained about this restricted indulgence, it is vitally important to look at the facts and to understand why our government has chosen to keep alcohol illegal during this time. “Alcohol is known to lower your inhibitions and often heighten your emotions, leading to dangerous and potentially fatal situations when in the hands of an abuser.” The Southern African Alcohol Policy Al-

liance in South Africa has explained the ban of alcohol in order to inform the public that our government has our best interest in mind. Some of these reasons

include making sure that we are staying healthy and exercising regularly instead “A couple glasses of wine may be a simple of using alcohol as a constant coping pleasure to you, but to others it is lifethreatening.” mechanism, as well as ensuring that our immune systems stay active and alert and are not lowered by excessive use of The ban of alcohol has proved successful in its protective purposes, with poalcohol. lice minister, Bheki Cele, reporting a However, these alcohol restrictions decrease of 69,4% in domestic violence mainly speak to a different pandemic cases from March-April last year to the that has been occurring in our coun- same months this year. try for decades: domestic violence. The use of alcohol has often been evident While it is normal to yearn for the relief in the many domestic violence cases that alcohol can bring, think twice bethat plague our society, and with the fore complaining about the current allockdown laws keeping us inside of our cohol restrictions. A couple glasses of houses 24/7, people living with their wine may be a simple pleasure to you, abusers need to be protected in any but to others it is life-threatening. It is way possible. Alcohol is known to low- important to think of those in danger er your inhibitions and often heighten and remember that this ban on alcohol your emotions, leading to dangerous is actively working to protect victims of and potentially fatal situations when in domestic abuse during this time. the hands of an abuser. By banning alcohol during this time, our government Domestic Violence Helpline: 0800 150 has actively taken a step towards pro- 150. tecting the people of our society who are forced to live in fear in order to stop the spread of this virus. DISCLAIMER

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 |Page 13

Cuckoo for Coconuts Natasha Gartner

The natural way to bring out your true beauty

hen asked to recommend the best beauty products, several names come to mind: Kylie Cosmetics, L’Oreal, Fenty Beauty... the list of expensive brands goes on. Wouldn’t it be convenient if there was an all-healing, multi-purpose single product that could address any beauty issue one has? I have good news for you: coconut oil is your new best friend. This article will provide you with some of the many beauty and hygiene benefits of this simple product:

1. Hair

Coconut oil contains fatty acids and has a low molecular structure, which enables it to penetrate the hair follicles easily. In doing so, coconut oil not only nourishes but also strengthens and protects dry or frizzy hair. It is also a great dandruff preventative due to its moisturizing properties. Simply massage the oil into your hair, leave it in overnight, and wash it out with shampoo in the morning.

For those who use makeup, coconut oil can also be used as a primer that softens the skin and leaves the face with a dewy look after foundation has been applied. However, proceed with caution when applying coconut oil to the face as it has a high comedogenic rating which means that it could clog pores and cause a breakout. The best way to use coconut oil on the face is as an oil cleanser to melt away dirt and makeup (which you will then follow up with a foam/cream cleanser) or in a face mask or scrub that you rinse off.

3. Oral

As mentioned above, coconut oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This means that it can be used as a great breath freshener! Gargling with a spoonful of coconut oil for 20 minutes kills the germs in the mouth, resulting in fresh breath, whiter teeth and healthier gums. If mixed with baking soda, coconut oil also acts as a whitening toothpaste!

The abovementioned benefits are just scratching the surface. With so Since coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it many brilliant beauty and hygiene properties, why spend thousands acts as a non-invasive facial cleanser. It lacks the harsh chemicals most of Rands on chemically-harsh products? Coconut oil can be purchased expensive facial cleansers contain. It is also an anti-oxidant, and can from Takealot for R50, as well as at any pharmacy. thus be used to treat eczema, psoriasis and even stretch marks. The copious amounts of vitamin E contained in coconut oil makes it an effective moisturizer, leaving both your face and body glowing and smooth.

2. Face and Body

Evaluating Minimalism

Tips for Decluttering and Becoming Minimalistic Rukaya Mosavel

inimalism: the state of being as simple and independent from unnecessary items and possessions. This practice has seen an increase in popularity through social media platforms where people share their lives as minimalists.

Realising that you don’t need everything you like and having affirmation that not all things are useful or beneficial in the first place. This doesn’t mean you should not buy yourself a nice pair of jeans, or try a new restaurant in town. It just means being conscious of what you spend your money on and using it in modThe most important part of minimalism is be- eration. ing organised and centred around a lifestyle that does not contain excess. You have just Organisation: The next step is organising your what you need in a quantity that is reasonable space and living environment in a way that you enough. declutter from things that you do not need or simply do not use. Old clothing, shoes, statio“The most important part of minimalism is nery, books and toys. This is not to say to toss being organised and centred around a lifestyle out your entire bookshelf or closet, but do consider which things weigh down on your space. that does not contain excess.” This can often be the most complicated step. However, remember that over the years, many This can be done for spiritual reasons, as part people acquire things. If you lean towards of a healthy mindset or mantra. There is a wide hoarder habits, you may want to take your time misconception that minimalism means that on this step. Be kind to yourself and consider you are against modernity – ‘do not use con- organising certain items into boxes or containventional things such as a cell-phone or shoes!’. ers, so that they are at the very least, organised This is not true. Minimalism doesn’t necessarily and neat. If you are ready to say goodbye, conmean that you shut yourself out from the secu- sider donating items or recycling them as you lar world. It has more to do with a mindset that wish. transcends to all aspects of your life. So, how do you lead a simple and unadorned life? “Organisation: The next step is organising your Mindset: Becoming minimalistic means un- space and living environment in a way that you derstanding that you live in a commercialised declutter from things that you do not need or world where everything is being sold and adsimply do not use.” vertised for capital gain.

Source: Pinterest

Healthy habits: As much as decluttering your environment is important and beneficial, decluttering your mind is too! Develop healthy habits and practices that include: limiting your time on social media, movies and any online activity; being conscious of the online content that you interact with and consume. Holding yourself accountable for taking care of your mental health and wellbeing is important. Physical activities such as sport, meditation or yoga enhance one’s being. Grounding exercises for stress, anxiety as well as any other mental fog you may be experiencing further the significance of the practices. Healthy eating habits are also important, and giving your body nutritious, wholesome and beneficial food will help keep you fuelled and energised. Minimalism is certainly a holistic mindset that you carry into your social, physical and spiritual beliefs. For everyone, their degree of minimalism is different. It is important to remember that your pace is fine and implementing small, consistent steps in your life is better than going cold turkey all of a sudden. Remember to breathe, relax and allow life to flow. Everything you need is already within. Good luck on your journey of awakening and clarity!

@VarsityNews | 20 May 2020 | V79 E5 | Page 14

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

US Women’s Soccer Team: Decisive court ruling puts an end to the narrative of unequal pay.

Stefan Kirsten

n a 32-page ruling on the 1st of May, a US district judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against the US Soccer Federation (USSF) by members of the US Women’s National Soccer Team (WNT). The lawsuit, which was filed in March of 2019, claimed that the USSF was in violation of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Members of the WNT also demanded $66 million in damages but the ruling thoroughly dismantled the claims of unequal pay.

“the ruling thoroughly dismantled the claims of unequal pay.” The main claim of unequal pay came from the disparities between the WNT and US Men’s National Soccer Team (MNT) player bonuses. MNT players bonuses for wins, losses and defeats are clearly more than WNT players but as pointed out in court, these disparities cannot be viewed in isolation. “The main claim of unequal pay came from the disparities between the WNT and US Men’s National Soccer Team (MNT) player bonuses.” The MNT and the WNT separately determine their compensation agreements with USSF in what is known as Collective Bargain Agreements (CBA). The MNT’s CBA states that players are paid on a pay-for-play basis which means that they have no salary or benefits but are solely compensated with bonuses, match for match. The WNT’s CBA – determined and agreed upon by themselves in February 2017 – is in contrast, contractually based with players receiving base salaries and a string of other benefits such

Source: VOX

as severance pay, injury guarantees, pregnancy guarantees, retirement benefits and health insurance. Before the 2017 CBA agreement, in May of 2016, the WNT rejected the offer to be paid under the same CBA as the MNT, clearly demonstrating according to the ruling that “the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for other benefits.” The ruling also made clear that “the WNT was asking for all the upsides of the MNT CBA (higher bonuses) without any of the drawbacks (e.g. no base salary).” “The WNT rejected the offer to be paid under the same CBA as the MNT”. Due to the difference in the respective CBAs of the MNT and WNT, the WNT received more money from the USSF over the period from 2015 to 2019 on a cumulative and average-per-game basis! The WNT received approximately $24 million and averaged $220 747 per game while the MNT received approximately $18 million and averaged $212 639 per game. “Due to the difference in the respective CBAs of the MNT and WNT, the WNT received more money from the USSF”. All that the devastating ruling leaves the WNT’s lawsuit to pursue is a claim of discriminatory working conditions insofar as travelling and support services, after the judge noted the “gross disparity on money spent on airfare and hotels for the teams.” The ruling against the WNT’s claim of unequal pay has however left their main narrative’s leverage in shambles.

How Much Longer Could Tennis’s Greatest Rivalry Continue?

Will Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal benefit from 2020’s suspension of the ATP Tour and extend their careers?

William Barron

n an interview conducted by Sky Sports early in May, two-time Major finalist Robin Söderling made the tantalising claim that being forced to abstain from competing in 2020 could prolong the careers of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“the two are the most prolific champions of the men’s game” In one important metric, the two are the most prolific champions of the men’s game, holding first and second place on the all-time Major titles list – with 20 and 19 singles grand slams respectively. The rivalry in head-to-head matches has been extensive – the two having met 40 times in professional tournaments – but has become much closer in the last four years. Nadal leads Federer 24 to 16, but Federer has won 6 of their last 7 matches – most recently in the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2019. “Federer’s resurgence is traced by many to 2017 when at the age of 35 he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon”.

Source: Telegraph

Two illustrative statistics of this geriatric rivalry are: that Federer in 2018 briefly became the ATP’s World Number One, claiming the record of the oldest ever holder of that spot at 36 years and 320 days; and that Nadal (five years Federer’s junior) currently holds the record of oldest ever player to finish the year (2019) as ATP Number One (33 years, 211 days). “Nadal has matched Federer closely in defying perceptions of age”. Söderling’s predictions are remarkable for disputing the logic that Nadal and Federer can ‘afford’ a year off. However much time they buy resting bodies – in Federer’s case, it’s a body recovering from knee surgery this year, and in Nadal’s case a body that has seemingly never been free from injury – must be measured against the recession of their physical abilities with age. Nevertheless, be certain that this time will also be of benefit to the two arguably most compelling potential champions in the men’s game right now – Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem.

This surprising improvement in Federer’s performances against Nadal so late in life has redefined “be certain that this time will also the sport’s idea of success and be of benefit to the two arguably longevity. Federer’s resurgence most compelling potential is traced by many to 2017 when at the age of 35 he won the Aus- champions in the men’s game tralian Open and Wimbledon. His right now – Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem”. 2017 successes followed five years without winning a Major, allowing Nadal to catch up to his total. And since turning 30 (and becoming However much longer the ‘Fedal’ veterans) Nadal has matched Fed- rivalry can continue will be a treat erer closely in defying perceptions to tennis fans. of age.