by أنيليسا توسوا | May 19, 2011 | Featured 1, Sport
BASKETBALL glory was on display when Pretoria Heat and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) took the men and women’s trophies in the Ashraf Lodewyk Memorial Tournament this past weekend.
Pretoria Heat beat the VUT men’s team by 63 points to 39 in a tightly contested match, snatching the title from the reigning champions.
“It was beautiful; poetry in motion,” said Heat and national basketball team player Neo Mothiba.
“Everything we trained for came together in 40 minutes. We prepared very hard for this tournament.”
The VUT women, who put on an aggressive defence and a spirited offensive, beat the Wanderers Scorpions by 71 points to 62, capitalising on the fouls committed by the Scorpions in the opening quarter of the game.
VUT’s national point-guard, Requelh Molema, explained her team’s strategy as having been to use post players to dunk the balls, with her assisting when they could not.
“When they could not [net the balls] I had to take responsibility.”
Throughout the game Molema set a fast pace. She opened the fourth quarter by gunning down the court to net a neat basket. Wanderers’ Rethabile Gumede retaliated with a net, but VUT then netted another two balls in quick succession.
A key point for the Pretoria Heat men was Mothiba slam dunking two balls one after the other in the first quarter, setting the tone of the game.
Heat coach, Victor Fouda said this was the team’s strategy; to net baskets early and dominate the game.
“We started off well; the rest was about controlling [the ball and exerting] high intensity on defence.”
Although the VUT men were disappointed with the loss, they conceded to the higher calibre displayed by Pretoria Heat.
“It feels bad [to have lost], I’m angry. We lost to a better team though – I’ll give props where props is due,” said Mxolisi Dlanga.
The annual tournament, begun in 2003 in honour of fallen Wits player Ashraf Lodewyk, was held at Wits Hall 29 on West Campus from May 12-15.
by أنيليسا توسوا | May 13, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Vibey Diepsloot eatery, Boza’s Kishin, hosted the launch of Wits Professor Anton Harber’s latest book Diepsloot on May 10.
The main purpose of the book is to break down the stereotypes surrounding the township.
It includes Harber’s observations, analyses and conversations in and around the township located just past Fourways.
The presence of the book’s main subjects at the launch, Diepsloot residents, is something Harber considers a success.
“The most important thing was to launch it in Diepsloot and acknowledge the assistance I had from key people there,” said Harber.
Philip Makwela, outgoing ANCYL chairperson in the area, said: “Diepsloot is known as dangerous, poor, and a crime-ridden community. There is another side where we exist to bring hope.”
It is this other side that he feels the book brings across – balancing the rampant poverty with the residents’ aspirations.
“It is an opportunity to tell our own story. Anton brought [out] the side that Diepsloot has leaders and has plans for development [to light].”
Connel & Anne Theunissen, a couple that has been helping and educationally facilitating with pre-schools in Diepsloot for years, said: “We know Diepsloot people to be loving, kind and supportive.
“We feel as safe in Diepsloot as we do anywhere else.”
Harber accompanied them once on their weekly trips and described them as a “remarkable couple, they are unbelievably dedicated missionaries”.
Diepsloot residents Hlokomani Nzizi & Calvin Ngwenya, who are also employees of Boza’s Kishin, said: “It’s a bit of an inspiration, I am happy about this [event, because] it means there are good things about Diepsloot,” said Nzizi.
Ngwenya agreed, saying, “It’s something that brings joy to Boza’s Kishin because this happened here and it was successful, [so] more people will want to do their thing here”.
Boza’s Kishin part owner, Jabu Nkabinde, said he was “ecstatic” about hosting Harber’s book launch, and “was eager to dig into the book”. Nkabinde is one third of the team behind the chisa nyama business, which includes Cannelle de Ruig and Thabo Bogopa (also known as musician JR).
Harber’s family also shared in the residents’ elation over the book.
“This evening’s been a thing of great pride for me,” said his mother, Zara Harber.
“Anton’s done it [writing the book] with such great feeling, perception and understanding. It will help us all to have a greater social understanding.
“I did not know he would be a journalist – I thought he’d do something more reliable,” she quipped about Harber’s choice of career.
by أنيليسا توسوا | May 12, 2011 | Featured 1, News
The Workers Solidarity Committee are demanding the release of a report regarding an investigation into allegations of racism against a high-ranking Property and Infrastructure Management Division (PIMD) official.
United in song: Contract workers protesting at the Senate House Concourse. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
PIMD director, Ian Armitage, was accused of calling some of the workers “k*****s” and “baboons” last November, and the demonstration, organised by the Workers Solidarity Committee, during lunch at the Senate House concourse last Friday was to demand that the findings be made public.
“At Wits, those who are racist must know that the community [workers, staff and students] say “No”,” said student and committee member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, addressing the crowd.
“We don’t want another UFS [University of the Free State],” he said, referring to the controversial scandal that brought racism at South African universities to national attention in 2008.
Up in arms: Some of the workers at the protest. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
Complaints about Armitage’s behaviour had surfaced from a number of contract workers.
Matthews Bodiba, a gardener, alleged that Armitage accosted him as he emerged from a Senate House toilet and told him not to use the toilets as they were not meant for cleaners, especially not for “k******” like him.
Thabo Tshabalala and Lucky Rammalo, two movers, claim that Armitage called them “baboons” last year when they got into a dispute about university rules governing passengers in its vans. He allegedly told them that he did not have time to talk to “baboons” and would fire them “with immediate effect”.
Investigations into these incidents began last year, but the results have not been released, despite several protests by workers.
Against racism: Supercare workers belting out a tune of protest. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
Nhlakanipho Gumede, a maintanance plumber and Workers Solidarity Committee member alleged that Deputy Vice chancellor:Finance,Patrick Fitzgerald said the workers are not part of Wits and were not entitled to a report.
University management has been given until this Friday to respond to the workers’ demands, which include a call to hold those who are perpetrators of racism accountable. Should they fail to do so, workers will picket again.
Getting down: Supercare ladies singing and dancing in unison. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
“It is the only language they seem to understand,” said Gumede.
Armitage and Fitzgerald had not responded by the time Vuvuzela went to print.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Apr 16, 2011 | Featured 1, News
THE Sunday Times and The Times won the 5th Taco Kuiper Awards for Investigative Journalism for the year 2010.
First prize went to Mzilikazi wa Afica and Stephan Hofstatter for their story on Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele and the SAPS building lease, which focused on the Police Commissioner’s influence in a R500-million lease deal with businessman Roux Shabangu without a proper tender process.
Sipho Masondo of The Times took second prize for his series of articles exposing governmental negligence in mining and the resulting impact on the environment.
“I’ve always wanted to tell things as they are; not how management wants. In journalism, I have the opportunity to [do this],” said Masondo, who hails from a public relations background.
And so he did, when he wrote one of the articles in the series, that brought to public attention the danger of acid mine drainage from toxic water -during the heavy rain period earlier this year – and the inability for Gauteng mines to pump the water out fast enough.
Wa Africa’s efforts landed him in jail last year when, along with Hofstatter, he wrote the article that exposed Cele in the police headquarters lease deal scandal.
The New York Times reporter Andrew Lehren, who delivered the keynote speech, lauded the winners.
“I was very impressed with the work I’ve seen. It was phenomenal work and brave too [as journalists are exposed to] political pressure.”
Editor and publisher of Southern African Report and former deputy chairman of the South African chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Raymond Louw said “[It was] absolutely well deserved and totally appropriate”.
According to Mail & Guardian editor, Nic Dawes, Wa Africa and Hofstatter’s story “had to win” as it was the story of the year.
“[The win was] very richly deserved.”
Antony Altbeker, who was the first Taco Kuiper Award recipient, added that as an environmental story it was great to see Sipho win.
The Sunday Times duo landed R200 000.
“I’m getting married in November, so the money will come in handy,” said Masondo of his R100 000 prize.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Apr 15, 2011 | Featured 1
- Once a photographer always a photographer: Veteran photographer
- Peter Magubane takes time to teach a photographer a thing or two
THE hope and optimism late US senator Robert “Bobby” Kennedy inspired in the hearts of South Africans during his 1966 visit was relived with the screening of the documentary, A Ripple of Hope.
Produced and directed by ex-Witsie, Larry Shore, the film transports the audience to the height of apartheid and shows how Kennedy revived people’s commitment to the struggle through his words.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope… and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
These were the words that galvanised a generation to act and upon which the film is based.
“It was a very meaningful episode in our history. [Kennedy’s visit] provided new energy for the struggle against apartheid,” said Wits lecturer and filmmaker, Lieza Louw.
Former Witsie and The Star editor, Peter Sullivan, said of the impact of Kennedy’s visit that “most people felt apartheid was impossible to defeat; his speech changed the way I thought. I realised every act I took would make a difference”.
In the film, a young Sullivan recounts the various means The Star used to stump the government and expose its acts of repression.
Kennedy had been invited to deliver a Day of Affirmation speech by the National Union of South African Students (Nusas) which professor emeritus in sociology, Eddie Webster, described as “an act of defiance”.
Black and white alike benefited from the three-day stopover, with the senator visiting Wits, the universities of Cape Town, Durban and Stellenbosch, as well as Soweto. He had also visited then-banned ANC president Chief Albert Luthuli in KwaZulu-Natal.
Shore, who was inspired by the similarities between the US civil rights movement and the anti-apartheid struggle, plans to get the film into South African and American schools.
“I am gratified that [the story] seems to have a value in South Africa today,” he said.
The documentary will be shown on SABC1 on April 19.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Apr 8, 2011 | Sport
The first of SuperSport’s Lady Rugga auditions kicked off at the GR Bozzoli Sports Hall on Monday, with more than 50 aspiring presenters coming to display their prowess.
The hopefuls, who stand a chance to cover the rugby world cup in New Zealand in September, were judged by an experienced panel of SuperSport presenters and commentators, including Owen Nkomane, Arnold Geerdts, and Crystal Arnold.
Arnold, who recently returned from the cricket world cup, said Lady Rugga would be someone who “had the metal” to handle the highly pressurised environment of sports presenting.
“Going to the world cup is the pinnacle of any person’s profession,” said Arnold.
The stakes were high as the entrants not only have to possess talent, but an overriding passion for the sport.
Though Witsies had great personalities and oodles of confidence, what counted against them was their limited knowledge of the game, according to Arnold.
Geerdts shared this view, advising aspiring Lady Ruggas to brush up on their technical knowledge and rugby history.
One student, Boitumelo Modupi , felt she was “made for TV”, but did not know the name of the national rugby team.
Another, Amy Bruss, who feared she would be “eaten alive” in the industry, was dismissed for being “too sweet”.
According to Brand Manager, Yongama Magida, the female presenter will be “a new angle” for the channel’s male-dominated on-air rugby panel.
Some of the Witsies who made it to the next round are Nokukhanya Khanyile, Boipelo Diale, Candice de Sousa and Alexandra Howell.
Ladies wishing to audition can head try out at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday. Information about other audition venues can be obtained on the SuperSport website.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Apr 1, 2011 | Featured 1
RELAYING FOR CANCER: Wits' Journalism Honours Class and Vuvuzlea team headed to Nasrec on Friday March 25 for a 12-hour relay challenge. The challenge was the first of its kind to be hosted in Soweto and was in support of the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa). It was also sponsored by America's Delta Airlines. Participants and teams were required to walk, run or jog and relay from 6 pm till 6am to promote a healthier lifestyle. Despite the rainy weather, Soweto cancer survivors, dance groups and a choir all took part and entertained the crowd. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
by أنيليسا توسوا | Mar 31, 2011 | News
ARRIVING safely and on time at their destinations is a daily concern for Wits students who use taxis to get to and from the university due to financial constraints.
“Will I get to my destination?” is a question first year accounting sciences student, Tsholofelo Masilo, says he asks himself constantly.
“When they said Wits gives you the edge, I never thought it would be on the edge of the taxi seat.”
Another commuter, Bonolo Mophosho, describes taking a taxi as “a leap of faith”.
As academic success is the sole purpose of them commuting in the first place, time is also a factor that weighs heavily upon the students.
BETWEEN A DESK AND A HARD PLACE: Thami Zondo on the floor that was his bed for two weeks. Photo: Anelisa Ngewu
“The travelling impacts my studies negatively. I could achieve more marks if I stayed around,” says Bonginkosi Mthombeni, who lives in Vosloorus and spends up to 4 hours a day in queues and on the road.
On a good day, he sleeps for a maximum of four-and-a-half hours.
Female students are especially concerned about safety, claiming they are targets for crime.
“They think we’ve got money,” says Thembisa resident Gugulethu Baloyi, who once narrowly escaped being robbed.
“I don’t feel safe at all. We’re victimised because we’re women,” says Baloyi, referring to a girl who was raped at the Noord taxi rank some time ago.
Thembelihle Tshabalala, who commutes from Meadowlands, says the Mandela Bridge is the worst.
Some students stay at home voluntarily, however.
“It’s more comfortable at home; someone cooks and does the laundry,” says BCom economics and finance student, Mokhele Tsotsotso.
Regarding his motivation for the daily commute, Masilo says it is knowing that though he might be a “slave” now, he will be the “master” later. “I wouldn’t trade it [coming to university] for anything.”
by أنيليسا توسوا | Mar 22, 2011 | News
DISCONTENT simmers at the Wits Film and Television (WFT) department over a recently completed generator house just one-and-a-half metres from the building.
Staff are disgruntled about a lack of communication around a decision taken by the university council to install two generators next to the department in 2008.
According to student production coordinator, Ian Walters, they found out about the generators when a staff member was told she could not park her car in the former parking lot on the day construction began later that year.
“We’ve always had to be proactive. They [campus development and planning [CDP] responsible for installing the generators] just pushed ahead,” said acting head Lieza Louw about the department’s initiation of meetings with CDP.
The generators were installed as an emergency backup power source during load-shedding and interrupted electricity supply to prevent damage to “sensitive” research equipment and minimise the loss of research time, said CDP director Emannuel Prinsloo.
They were also installed to eliminate the “significant” penalties incurred for exceeding maximum peak electricity demand.
WFT is highly concerned about the health risks associated with long-term exposure to diesel fumes and electromagnetic radiation; noise pollution; compromised air supply and reduced natural lighting in the department.
In this regard, Prinsloo said that “an approved” department of labour inspection authority was conducting tests into the noise pollution, air pollution and vibrations resulting from operating the generators. He also said the “perceived” electromagnetic radiation posed “no health risk [to] staff, students or visitors”.
Plans to re-evaluate the department’s fresh air supply, instal double‑glazed windows and landscaping will be completed by September this year.
The generators will be operational from May.
Tensions at WTF reached boiling point two weeks ago when staff reported “very bad fumes and sound” and “slight vibrations” following a test run. A meeting quickly followed in which staff “mooted” plans of embarking on a strike action, said co-acting head Mncedisi Mashigoane.
Lecturer Nobunye Levin said that the strike was “a last resort” and they hoped they “wouldn’t have to go there”.
A strike wouldl affect the department’s 180 students.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Mar 22, 2011 | News
The former employers of horse-riding champion, Gary Allpass, have filed a notice to appeal the judgment in the precedent-setting case against Mooikloof Estates in Pretoria.
Ayanda Khumalo, a former Witsie making waves on the legal front. Photo: courtesy Webber Wentzel
Ayanda Khumalo, a Wits graduate and Webber Wentzel associate, said Mooiklo
of Estates filed the notice early last week. Khumalo was one of the attorneys acting on behalf of Allpass.
By appealing, Mooikloof Estates, represented by Hendrik Malan, will be challenging Labour Court judge Urmilla Bhoola’s finding that Allpass’s non-disclosure of his HIV status was the real reason behind his dismissal.
Allpass was fired a day after completing a form that required information about his allergies, medication taken for the allergies, as well as any chronic medication he was on.
He listed HIV as an illness he was suffering from, the anti-retroviral medication he took, as well as an allergy to penicillin, among other things.
Defending the company, Dawie Malan, who had been Allpass’s manager, said Allpass was fired for being “dishonest”, had “breached their trust” by not disclosing his HIV status, and was “severely ill”.
He also cited Allpass’s allergy to penicillin as a reason for his dismissal as he would not be able to execute some of the duties required by his job.
In her judgment, however, Bhoola dismissed the claim as a “thinly veiled” attempt to hide the real reason behind Allpass being fired.
Allpass’s case against Mooikloof Estaes was the first in which a small or private employer was taken to court for discriminating against an employee due to their HIV status.
Furthermore, despite section 187(1)(f) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 not listing HI
V as a ground for deeming the dismissal of an employee to be automatically unfair, the court used it to show that dismissal due to HIV status constituted an arbitrary ground.
Bhoola noted that Hendrik Malan had not attended any of the court hearings, which were conducted over a period of 4 days.
Webber Wentzel will again represent Allpass. No appeal date has been set.
by أنيليسا توسوا | Mar 4, 2011 | News
The combination of thumping noise, buzzing activity and the wide-ranging variety of information that characterises O-week has struck the right note.
Tshepo Ndlovu, SRC Treasurer, said that the week is intended to “orientate, help new students adapt and give them a different perspective of the university to what they might have.”
The week, which included a variety of fun activities organised by the SRC, also incorporated an academic component facilitated by each of the faculties. Among other things, each faculty offered its students an introduction to faculty rules, computer skills, campus tours, university organisation and counselling.
Karen Sheng, a first-year BSC Eng (Industrial) student said of the faculty’s orientation programme, “I was nervous about going to varsity, but O-week helped me feel more comfortable and at ease.”
Tiisetso Maphanga, another BSC Eng (Industrial) student, shared this view, saying, “As a first-year student you’re nervous about transitioning from high school to university. O-week calmed those nerves and gave us the tools to survive in our field of study.”
A student who was particularly inspired by the vice-chancellor’s speech at the Welcome Day on Sunday, 13 February was first year MB BCh student, Wesley Wilkes. According to Wilkes, the speech was “encouraging” and affirmed that the group had indeed achieved something thus far, by making it into the top 10% of the population who have access to tertiary education.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Loyiso Nongxa, is quoted on the Wits website thus: “The future of our children and grandchildren is in your hands today.
“Once you graduate it is to you we turn to treat our children when they are sick, your advice we will seek to warn us against impending financial crises and you that we will rely on to design bridges that will not collapse.”
Known for its tradition of academic excellence, Ndlovu said the university tended to be perceived as being a very “dry” and “uptight” institution where there is no fun. “We dedicate ourselves to organising fun events for students and were happy with the turn-out. Students supported (our events).”
