by Palesa Tshandu | May 16, 2014 | News
SOLIDARITY: Students at Wits University show their support for the missing Nigerian schoolgirls. Photo: Anazi Zote
It has been just over a month since more than 200 girls were abducted from a school in Nigeria and today Wits University added its voice to the international show of support.
About 50 Wits students gathered on the library lawns as part of an art-based solidarity campaign.
Today’s gathering was part of the broader initiative known as #BringBackOurGirls, which advocates for the release of the girls from Boko Haram, a terrorist group which has claimed responsibility for the abductions. The event made use of various art forms such as hand painting and the spoken word to communicate messages of protest.
Wits Amnesty International president at Bambi Stewart said: “The campaign started just under a month ago in Nigeria and we as collective university students, decided to come and show support for the girls.”
[pullquote] “We as Africans in the continent are saying lets come together lets help countries like Nigeria put a stop to such inhumanity”[/pullquote]
Stewart said that Wits University has an important role to play in raising awareness: “More girls have become weaponized (sic) and tools of war, we think that its time as a university we raise our voice as a collective, irrespective of political affiliations or religion”.
The campaign was convened by Dluwadamiloa Apotieri Abdielai, a masters student, who says that the said there is a culture of silence in Nigeria and it is problematic because, “Whatever is happening in Nigeria is happening in several other countries, but people are not talking about it.”
Nigerian community speaks out
The Nigerian diasporic community was also present at the campaign to show their support and disdain for the lack of action towards the Nigerian government towards finding the girls.
Gloria Ernest Samuel who is a PhD fellow from Imo State in Nigeria said, “If the government had done enough, we wouldn’t be here and that is part of why we are supporting the campaign”.
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 14, 2014 | News
Political studies honours student Gabriel Shamu reads up on the history of South Africa at Wits University’s William Cullen library. Photo: Palesa Tshandu
Wits has not a module for black consciousness, a movement popularised by Steve Biko, since the dismissal of a politics lecturer last year.
The popular module was taught by Prof Rupert Taylor, who was dismissed last year following allegations of sexual harassment.
“There hasn’t been a particular departmental level discussion about replacing Rupert Taylor’s black consciousness course,” Politics head of department Prof Daryl Glaser.
[pullquote]“The course that was given was a competent introduction into black consciousness and an important contribution given the reality of liberal universities murdering Biko,”[/pullquote]
According to Glaser, black consciousness was taught by Taylor as an extension of his own interests and specialities.
“The course content to some extent is decided by the interests and specialities of the members of staff and Rupert Taylor had an interest in that subject,” said Glaser.
The module was part of a first-year course introduction to politics, which has was focused on South African politics.
Andile Mngxitama, an official for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF),was a prominent guest lecturer for module. He said the discontinued module was needed because “liberal universities” disregard Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement.
“The course that was given was a competent introduction into black consciousness and an important contribution given the reality of liberal universities murdering Biko”, Mngxitama said.
Mngxitama believes that teaching black consciousness is important because it “outlaws racist white academic establishments.”
Democratic Alliance Student Organisation leader Luyolo Mphithi said the black consciousness module was interesting as the viewpoint that Taylor offered was of a “white, non-South African observing black consciousness”.
Glaser argued that while black consciousness is important, it was only one ideology among many in South Africa.
“[We] would have to single out one ideology from the diversity of ideologies and movements in South Africa.”
Some former students of the module argued that while black consciousness was important, the university had to be selective about which South African movements and political ideologies it would teach.
“We don’t talk about Afrikaner nationalism and Afrikaans identity and the department must think carefully about the kind conversations we want our students to have,” said politics masters student and activist Pearl Pillay.
According to associate professor in politics Ahmed Veriava, Taylor’s replacement in the department is Lawrence Hamilton. Hamilton is a former professor of political theory at the University of Johannesburg and is due to start in June 2014.
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 10, 2014 | Featured 1, News
BANNED DRIVER: Nymhardt Black (48) sits in the car with his wife Debbie Black (40) after voting and wait to speak to an IEC member to lodge their complaint. Photo: Luke Matthews
By: Palesa Tshandu and Anazi Zote
A tow-truck driver was fired from his job yesterday when his employer would not allow him to miss work to vote in yesterday’s general elections.
Nymhardt Black (48) who was an employee at A1 Assist in Industria, North Roodeport said he lost his job because he took off from work to cast his vote.
According to Black, his former employer told him to “come park your truck because you’re fired”. Black responded by saying, “We can’t get fired because we want to vote.”
The frustrated former employee lodged a complaint with the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in the hopes of arguing for his right to participate in the elections.
The employer, who is a manager at the tow-trucking company refused to give Wits Vuvuzela comment on the matter.
Black, who is the sole bread winner in his family of four, does not regret losing his job in exchange for exercising his right to vote but said, “My wife is not happy that I got fired.”
He says the decision for leaving his job is also related to the working conditions at the company. His lack of regret for losing his job is also related to the bad working conditions at the company. He only earned R1300 per week, which amounted to R5200 per month while working the whole day, every day.
He does not wish to return to his former job but is currently looking for a new one.
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 10, 2014 | News
EMOTIONAL PERFORMER: Oupa Sibeko takes on his emotional performance for his new play ‘Fear and Longing’. Photo: Palesa Tshandu
Universal feelings of anxiety and desire are confronted in the latest offering by performing and visual arts student Oupa Sibeko. The one-man contemporary dance piece called ‘Fear and Longing’ attempts to challenge all human emotion.
The 21-year-old student premiered his show at the Roodeport Youth Arts Festival last weekend as part of his physical theatre course based on the “containment of the body”.
“The fear is portrayed in the fragmentation of the self and the longing is the escape”, said Sibeko to describe the visual dance piece whose text relies on audience’s interpretation of the play.
According to Sibeko, his character in the piece has no definite role but is an extension of humanity, relying on human experiences and emotion to tell the story.
“As humans we carry things in outer bodies that we grew up with, that affect how we move and how we interact with people which is body, archive and memory”, said Sibeko who was able to contextualize how the play is able to relate to the audience. .
The play also attempts to reject societies understanding of masculinity by providing a platform to express human vulnerabilities, says Sibeko.
“I had to pay attention to how society defines masculinity and how I define masculinity and the other side of masculinity”, said Sibeko who suggests that the play is inherently vulnerable and open to masculinity.
The dance piece is a combination of a contemporary dance, which includes a traditional Japanese dance style called butoh which “is connected to the soul and the spirit…tracing the human essence,” said Sibeko.
The piece will be showing at the Nunnery at Wits University from the 14th to the 15th of May.
by Palesa Tshandu | May 7, 2014 | News
NKANDLA VOTES: Nkandla resident James Dlalala voted ANC at the Jan Hofmeyer community centre today. Photo: Luke Matthews
James Dlalala is from the town of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal and today he cast his vote in Johannesburg as part of the national general elections.
Voting almost 500 kilometres away from the town that is the talk of the election period this year, Dlalala admits he was not persuaded to vote for any other party but the African National Congress (ANC) despite the negative publicity around Nkandla.
“We didn’t have gas and water before the ANC,” said healthcare worker Dlalala.
Despite the controversy surrounding the security upgrades to President Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla, Dlalala is adamant that the ANC “has helped South Africans more than it has damaged them,” citing the building of hospitals in rural KwaZulu-Natal as one of the developments that has been introduced to the area.
Dlalala, who is from the section of iPholela in Nkandla, insists the report released last month by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is not an accurate representation of President Jacob Zuma. “I don’t trust that this is the truth … Nkandla is a beautiful place”.
After casting his vote at the Jan Hofmeyer community centre in Vrededorp, Dlalala was not shy to say: “I don’t breathe in the DA – it is difficult to speak on the DA.”
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 6, 2014 | News
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 3, 2014 | News
TENSION ARISING: Wits security had to step in when things got a little tense between ANC and DA supporters at one of the Great Debates. Photo: Anazi Zote
WITS played host to a first-0f-their-kind series of political debates in the lead up to to South Africa’s elections on May 7.
The purpose of the debates was to provide a platform for discourse to take place between political parties and the general public. We take a look back at some of the key issues that were raised and discussed at the debates.
Nkandla: a case of state denialism?
The issue of public money being spent on President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla was a hot topic on the first night of the debate. ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe rejected accusations of corruption.
“Nkandla was not built with state money,” Mantashe said.
The ANC’s denialism towards state corruption set the general the tone for the first round of election debates, which left the ANC open to criticism from opposition parties.
Agang leader Mamphele Ramphele and the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s federal chair Dr. Wilmot James, both cited Mantashe’s dismissal of ANC corruption as an indication of the failing legitimacy of the ANC, setting the general the tone for the debates that were to follow.
State anarchy
Delinquent behavior was the order of the day at the second debate, when a scuffle involving ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters. On the stage, the ANC’s Bonisile Modise faced the DA’s Mbali Nthuli and the EFF’s Floyd Shivambu.
“Hooliganism is in the DNA of the ANC. We are not shocked that such happened,” said Shivambu in response to the conflict in the crowd.
Despite the tensions among the political parties, the debate continued with the credibility of the ANC at the front of the debate discussions
“If government has a good story to tell why hasn’t the ANC been able to secure this country and nation [after 20 years of democracy],” asked Student Representative Council (SRC) member Jamie Mighti.
Dynamite comes in small packages
Small parties in South Africa made their voices heard in the third debate when the Congress of the People’s Farouk Cassim, Inkatha Freedom Party’s Mkhulelo Hlengwa and the United Democratic Movement’s Bantu Holomisa, articulated a ‘quality over quantity’ argument.
The little-league of political parties used the opportunity to voice their dissent towards the ANC and the largest opposition party, the DA, suggesting that their small numbers should not marginalize them.
“[It is] not about numbers, [but rather] about quality that counts in the politics of a country…Look at the numbers of big parties, they can’t even deal with their corrupt president,” said Holomisa.
Countdown to the elections
The penultimate showdown between the DA and the ANC addressed issues of race and accountability.
The DA’s Mmusi Maimane and the ANC’s Paul Mashitile went to head-to-head in war of words on the misuse of funds by government in Gauteng.
“ANC says it scans its lists for people charged with corruption but Zuma is [still] on top despite Nkandla,” said Maimane.
The final the debate marked the official countdown to the general elections.
ANC’s Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and DA’s finance spokesperson Tim Harris discussed economic growth in light of corruption.
According to Harris, the DA could create six million jobs and cut corruption over a period of five years.
“Cutting corruption leads to jobs for all,” Harris said.
The debate concluded with both parties emphasising their shared goal of creating jobs and ensuring economic sustainability for all.
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by Palesa Tshandu | May 1, 2014 | News
WORK SWAGGER: Thabani Msiza works the counter as a customer pays for order. Photo: Percy Matshoba
Thabani Msiza is a 20 year old first year medical student at Wits University who spends his time reading medical books and serving food at artisan cafe Daleahs. In light of Workers Day, Wits Vuvuzela sat down with the working student to ask him how he balances student and work life.
- What sets you apart from the rest?
I’ve been told i have a weird accent which doesn’t really match my look. Not really sure if that sets me apart, but i think its just mostly the way I am in general. Not many people can figure me out, which I guess is a good and bad, and i think my sense of humour.
- What are the challenges you come across between being a student and a worker?
Mainly it’s just time management and prioritisation. Maintaining the energy to work, study and socialise 7 days a week.
- Why did you decide to work?
Well I realised I would have a lot of free time this year. I also wanted the freedom and independence that comes from earning your own money.
- Do you find it difficult to manage your time as a medical student and as a worker?
I do to a certain extent. It’s not a huge difficulty in my life, I’m just really lazy.
- What will you be doing on Workers Day?
I will be working on Worker’s Day. The irony, I know. The plus side is that I get to meet really weird and interesting people on a daily basis, so even working on the day designated for us workers is not that much of an awful thing.
6. Which do you find more interesting, working or being a student?
Definitely working. Being a student is a lot more fun, but being a waiter you are forced to interact with so many people a day. That just makes the days really interesting especially since I love meeting different characters.
by Palesa Tshandu | May 1, 2014 | News
FRIENDLY ENEMIES: Pictured at the Wits Great Debate (from left to right), Mmusi Maimane, Imaan Rappetti and Paul Mashatile. Photo: Bongiwe Tutu
Corruption and race dominated discussions in the penultimate of the Great Debate series at Wits University last night.
The African National Congress (ANC)’s Paul Mashatile and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Mmusi Maimane took to the stage in front of a packed Great Hall divided between supporters dressed in blue and those in yellow.
“The DA has some black members, but the black people in the DA aren’t good enough to go to parliament,” argued Gauteng ANC chair Mashatile.
Maimane responded to the lack of black DA MPs (members of parliament) by saying, “we haven’t said we’d reward cadres. We’ve said we’d reward the best, based on skill.”
Editor of The Star newspaper, Makhudu Sefara, who was part of the audience at the debate, noted that the DA “skilfully avoided questions of race and accountability, leaving the ANC to over-capitalise on it”.
The high levels of corruption was also addressed when an audience member criticised the ANC for its lack of transparency, citing Nkandla and budget deficits as affecting the legitimacy of the government.
Maimane capitalised on the criticism when he said, “ANC says it scans its lists for people charged with corruption but Zuma is [still] on top despite Nkandla”.
Mashatile, in response, focused on Gauteng specifically by saying: “There is no corruption in Gauteng.” He went on to blame increased migration for the current budget deficit in the province.
The final leg of the debate series will take place tonight at Wits University starting promptly at 8pm. For tickets, click here.
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by Palesa Tshandu | Apr 25, 2014 | News
Waleed Teriq talking politics and mobile technology with customers at his new home and business, Celltronic Express. Photo: Percy Matshoba
From political violence to crime
SMALL Pakistani immigrant communities are finding refuge in Braamfontein’s inner city through the establishment of business chains to escape the politically hostile environment back home.
After one businessman nearly had his shop bombed, he ended up here.
‘’We do have businesses in Pakistan but the problem in our country is war and it’s too much,” said Pakistani immigrant and business owner Waleed Teriq, who reveals that his decision to move to South Africa was motivated by the political turmoil in his country.
The political unrest was brought by the ideological conflict of the Islamic faction known as the Taliban. It had taken control of Afghanistan in 1997 and imposed extreme Islamist law, which found neighbouring country Pakistan in the ongoing crossfire of the conflict.
Crime – the lesser devil
According to Teriq, members of the Taliban sent letters to his store in Pakistan which prohibited him from downloading videos and songs for his customers. They threatened to bomb his shop if he did not adhere to the instructions.
However, while Teriq moved from his country to South Africa to escape the consistent danger to his life, he still falls victim to the high incidences of crime in South Africa.
[pullquote]“We had a robbery, two times in 2010 and six people came with the guns and laid me down, taking 60 cellphones” said Teriq who reflects on the attack as his first experience of South African criminal activity.[/pullquote]
Similarly, a shop attendant from Bangladesh, Rohan Islam experienced a similar incident when his phone and R500 was stolen from him whilst getting off a taxi at the Bree street taxi rank.
“South Africa also have [sic] crime, not too bad, but there is a mix,” said Islam.
Communities at war
Islam reflects on his decision to move from Bangladesh to South Africa as an escape from the violent attacks he endured under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) regime. This saw him spend 21 days in hospital.
Teriq describes the relationship between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the immigrant communities as “helpful”, although he mentions the need for the police force to be unduly incentivised is “too much”.
The political conflict in the migrant communities from different countries plays out in their business operations. This is because of the complicated relationship between the Pakistani and the Bangladeshi. “There is a community, but we are not friends,’’ said Islam.
“It is too difficult to live in our country right now,” says Teriq, talking about Pakistan, who describes Braamfontein as better than any other area in Johannesburg.
by Palesa Tshandu | Apr 17, 2014 | News
UNITED: Siwve Sopoha an EFF member from Marikana comes to Johannesburg in Support of his community members, Jonas Felling and Nathaniel Baase, who were both miners at Marikana. Photo: Luca Kotton
by Palesa Tshandu and Luca Kotton
Legal ballot voting in the industrial relations sector can be used to prevent violent strike action and promote solidarity among mine-workers, according to Prof Edward Webster.
“A ballot means that there is a democratic mandate that will pre-empt strikes,” suggests Webster who was speaking at phase two of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry panel discussion held at Wits University yesterday.
The discussion forms part of a series of seminars that examines violence in the industrial relations sector, an example of which led to the killing of 34 mine-workers at Lonmin mine in Marikana on August 16, 2012.
According to Webster, a Wits sociology professor, the process of ballot voting will be used as a tool for mine-workers to have some control in the decision-making process of strike action. Ultimately, this process will result in a negotiated outcome among mine-workers and their employers.
Power inequalities must be addressed
Society Work and Development Institute (SWOP) fellow and researcher Chrispen Chinguno suggests that the democratisation of the mining sector is necessary to address power inequalities that exist among mine-workers which ultimately promotes a culture of violence.
Chinguno challenges the concept of a ballot system drawing on the participation of miners as integral to the process of striking. He said, “a ballot works as an individual vote, striking needs participation”.
According to Webster, the introduction of the ballot system in the industrial relations sector offers an alternative approach to the prevalence of violence, as it calls for miners to act in a democratic manner when addressing conflict.
The suggestion of a ballot for miners was met with mixed reactions. One miner said: “We know that they will break us, they want to divide us, and we know this.’’
In the coming weeks the Commission will host other discussions on the violence that occurred at Marikana.
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by Palesa Tshandu | Apr 11, 2014 | News
A WITS student was raped off-campus by two men who are not affiliated with the university.
The student, whose name will not be released to protect her identity, contacted the Sexual Harassment Office for assistance and was taken to Milpark hospital to receive medical attention.
“Rape is a serious issue in South African society, and Wits is a microcosm of South African society, so, very tragically, we are not immune to such terrible incidents,” Sexual Harassment Office director Jackie Dugard told Wits Vuvuzela.
The university community first learned of the attack when told about it by Vice Chancellor Adam Habib during a townhall meeting.
Habib said details were not yet known but a staff member had accompanied the student to Milpark hospital.
[pullquote]“Rape is a serious issue in South African society, and Wits is a microcosm of South African society, so, very tragically, we are not immune to such terrible incidents,”[/pullquote]
“As soon as we have more information we will of course provide it,” Habib said.
Wits sexual harassment advisor Maria Wanyane said her office is prepared to help victims of sexual assault. “The office provides support to all victims of sexual assault, irrespective of where the incident took place,” Wanyane said.
The office was established in response to revelations of sexual harassment between students and staff members. The office also provides counselling and acts as a support centre to Wits students and staff members.
The Sexual Harassment Office is located on the 6th floor of University Corner and can be contacted on (011) 717 9790.
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