The Matric Class of 2024 broke numerous records, and one in their number achieved it all at just 16.
Meet Ngeletshedzo Mutwanamba. She considers herself a simple girl who likes reading and listening to music. But these hobbies and her social life took a back seat so she could achieve something extraordinary.
At just 16 years of age, Ngeletshedzo has managed to pass Grade 12 with a remarkable seven distinctions, becoming the top achiever of her school, Blue Hills College. Her high school journey, marked by the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic and constant load shedding, was anything but easy.
Achieving seven distinctions in Grade 12 involved little sleep and a seemingly unending workload.
“I had to make sure that I was able to manage my time because the minute you start making things pile up everything just goes crazy. So, I really had to make sure that I was able to stick to what I wanted to do for the day,” she said.
As the year went on, Mutwanamba found that she got lazier, another mental barrier she had to overcome. “My motivation was the distinction at the end of the day. I knew that if I did not do (an assignment) at that exact moment I might be costing myself a distinction in the next coming year,” said Mutwanamba. She added that she aimed for eight distinctions, but “unfortunately” only achieved seven.
Mutwanamba started her high school journey in 2020, the year of the covid-19 pandemic, a huge shift for her personal and academic life.
“It was the first year of high school, a whole new environment for me…now all of a sudden there’s this disease, now I can’t go to school, and I personally enjoy seeing the teacher physically,” she said, stating that online Zoom meetings were not ideal.
Due to the pandemic, her school implemented a system where different grades attended on different days, which in turn meant that the curriculum was cut short. “…I actually missed out on fundamental things that would have really helped me out in Matric,” said Mutwanamba, as some of these fundamentals include core elements of English and Mathematics.
Social distancing restrictions eventually eased in 2022, but it was the same year that load shedding became a very frustrating issue as South Africa experienced 205 days of load shedding.
“Load shedding was quite the killer,” she said, as the load reductions would delay her from doing work at certain times. The blackouts also meant that she would have to work in the dark using rechargeable lights and plan her days in advance.
An early start at school and skipping a grade five were indicators of Mutwanamba’s smarts, but for her, seeing a friend achieve a 90% pass in their grade eight year is what fuelled her further. This drive culminated in a Mutwanamba donning the coveted white blazer at her school for being the top achiever.
When asked what advice she would give to people pursuing their dreams, she said, “Always remember your goals…. If you remember the reason why you are there in the first place, if you’re in school the reason why you chose a specific subject. If you’re working the reason why you applied for that job…there’s that specific reason that pushed, you to make that choice. So, remember that reason, remember the goals you set for yourself.”
Mutwanamba will go on to study Computer Sciences at the University of Pretoria this year.
FEATURED IMAGE: Photo of Ngeletshedzo Mutwanamba with her parents. Photo: Lungile Makiza.
As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, a new challenge surfaces: younger generations losing touch with their home languages. A mix of personal stories and expert opinions show the profound impact on cultural identity for the people affected.
“Akasazi isiZulu [He doesn’t know isiZulu].” That’s often the first thing people say when they ask why I am so quiet. And although there’s a kernel of truth to that, the shame it brings me is overwhelming.
When I go to family gatherings in Welkom, Free State, I feel disconnected from my family. The house is filled with chatter and joyous laughs as my family members connect with one another in Sesotho, a language I have lost the ability to speak fluently. I find myself as a spectator, sitting back and enjoying the moment, but not being able to connect with them in the language. While I try to brush it off, my heart sinks deep into my stomach as I struggle with shame.
When I visit my family in Durban the shame continues to linger. I sit with my uncles and brothers who are conversing in isiZulu and making jokes, some of which I cannot understand. I keep quiet and try to laugh at everything that they are laughing at, hoping that they will not call me out on it. When I am called out, I simply have no response, as if to say that I cannot explain my inability to speak my home language fluently.
As I now live in Johannesburg, I am tainted with these experiences that have brought shame to me my entire life. I can’t help but wonder how many more people have gone through the same experiences. How many more people have lost touch with their home languages and have had their sense of belonging affected? And, most importantly, how has this affected my understanding of culture and my relationship with it?
Language loss and learning
This disconnection is not a unique experience: many South Africans born after 1994 have lost touch with their mother tongue. The end of apartheid regime in 1994 signaled the beginning of a new South Africa by recognising 11 official languages in what has always been a multilingual country. However, although these diverse languages were recognised, with efforts made to promote their use, many young people have strayed from speaking or understanding their mother tongues, either fluently or at all.
Since 1994 there have been high levels of urbanisation, particularly in the city of Johannesburg – the economic hub of the country, in which English is used as the lingua francain all sectors of the public. This has made English the key to success in this city, translating into economic and family pressures to master the language. Ironically, only 9.2% of households in Gauteng use English as a first language, a vast difference to the 23% that speak isiZulu.
Parents play a significant role in determining which language their child speaks or in which they receive an education. Studies have shown that parents strongly insist on their children learning and receiving education in English because of its economic benefits. Iin some cases, parents go to the extent of speaking English with their children at home so that they can learn the language more efficiently. A preference for English leads many people to neglect their home languages, which has dire implications for one’s sense of self and identity.
Language is more than just a means through which people communicate, but it is also an indicator of one’s culture and “record of ethnicity”. These are the words of Dr Soyiso Khetoa, a social linguist, who is also the head of the African Languages Department at the University of the Witwatersrand. Khetoa explains, “Language influences perception… therefore, it influences our worldview… and how we interact with the world. So, eventually, the language you speak influences the person you become.”
As a person that identifies as Zulu, I find some truth in that statement. Coming from a traditional Zulu family, I have respect and admiration for my language and culture and knowing my roots gives me a source of pride. However, not being able to speak isiZulu fluently has prevented me from learning valuable information from my elders who can speak only isiZulu, or in other cases, prevents me from participating in customs that require me to speak the language. This leaves me feeling somewhat alienated from my culture and who I truly am.
To illustrate this point, I’ll return to a day on which my father and I performed a ritual of burning incense, an act to communicate with our ancestors. We did this shortly after I changed my surname to my dad’s family name a few years ago to reintroduce myself to the ancestors. After my father had sung our praises, he asked me to also share a few words in what was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, I was able to participate in a unique tradition, however, I felt limited as I could not fully say what I needed to say in isiZulu.
Thato Gololo, a 26-year-old student journalist from a Tswana family, has experienced cultural dissonance too. When Gololo was two years old, his family moved to Bedfordview, with a demographic largely comprising white, English-speaking individuals. Before this, as a toddler, Gololo would frequently speak Setswana but, as he interacted with people from his environment, he would later begin to speak only English. His father insisted to the rest of his family that they continue speaking English with Gololo so that he would not be confused. In the process, he lost touch with his home language and, with it, his cultural roots.
“It’s a very clear pathway, when you think about it. I don’t know my home languages, so I don’t put myself in the spaces with very traditional black people that speak [the language],” Gololo says. “Because I don’t put myself in those spaces, I don’t know the practices. So, I don’t know the practices, therefore, I’m disconnected from it.”
However, Gololo is not fully aware of Tswana customs also because of his pastor parents adopting Christianity over traditional Tswana customs, reducing his exposure to the latter. “My mom hates slaughtered meat, for example. If she’s at an event she will refuse to let you slaughter an animal,” he says. “Because of that I didn’t eat slaughtered meat for a while, because two people I really trust are my parents. If my parents did the thing, I did the thing. If my parents don’t do the thing, I don’t do the thing.”
Gololo has had to learn along the way about his culture, whereas his family already knew and stayed true to their customs. “When my brother got married, he did all of the very cultural things. He didn’t go on one knee to propose, he did the Tswana thing of ‘Hey, I’m going to send a letter to your household being “this is my intention”.’ My family seems to be aware, but personally I’m not.”
Ultimately, Gololo’s reduced exposure to the culture also affected his ability to speak the language. “Because I didn’t get immersed into the culture, because I didn’t speak the language, it’s a direct correlation. I don’t know this stuff. I feel very disconnected,” he says.
English and cultural shift
A common thread among young people who don’t know their mother tongue is a strong preference for English. The language was originally foreign in South Africa, being introduced by the British settlers who resided in the Cape Colony in the 1790s. It eventually became recognised as an official language in 1910 and it has evolved from being a language of liberation during the apartheid struggle to being the lingua franca that connects every community within South Africa.
A generational shift has also occurred as younger generations are not as inclined to using their home languages as a tool, unlike previous generations. Historically, indigenous languages were always prioritised to pass down knowledge and information to each generation. In addition, indigenous languages are seen as keys to understanding the essence of each culture. However, more scholars and students do not see the benefits of studying further in their indigenous languages.
Bela Bill and education
The issue of language in education has always been contentious in South Africa. This dates to the 1976 Soweto protests, when students protested the government’s decision to make Afrikaans a compulsory medium of instruction in black schools through the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974. The post-apartheid era has seen progressive changes in the use of language in education: the 1996 Constitution and the Language in Education Policy state that every learner has the basic right of education in any of their home languages. Although that may be the case on paper, many black learners have had to attend public schools in which English and Afrikaans are still mediums of instruction.
The introduction of the Basic Education Law Amendment (Bela) Bill could help to make a significant difference. The Bela Bill, signed into law in September 2024, is a modification of the 1996 Schools Act,which granted the school governing bodies the authority to decide a school’s language policy. The Bela Bill’s language policy states that schools are allowed to choose and enable their own languages of instruction, but that the department of education has the final word.
The bill has faced strong opposition, particularly from the Democratic Alliance (DA) party and the Afrikaans community, who believe that the bill poses a threat to the right to education in one’s mother tongue. The Pan South African Language Board, an establishment that focuses on creating conditions that develop the use of the official languages, commends the Bela Bill, viewing it as a “progressive step towards promoting the equitable use of all official languages and elevating the status of previously marginalised languages”.
Khetoa sees the bill’s positive potential. He says it “seeks to promote or redress linguistic inequalities in the country, in that now it would give formerly marginalised languages an opportunity to be advanced to a certain level where students or learners will be able to take up education in their language”.
The Bela Bill is an opportunity to give more learners a chance to connect with their cultural roots as they are given the opportunity to learn in their native languages.
Infographic: Siyanda Mthethwa/Canva.
Staying connected to home languages
“Monareng, Letsoalo la mmatau, tebele la mahasoa, legadima la manyokenyokela go phala le banna go phema. Kgomo motho, mmamafase fofale manonng, Mapokgole tebele.”
These are the clan names that Freddy Letsoalo and his family are greeted with as a sign of honour and respect. “In most cases it is during traditional events, most recently in June during the return of young men from initiation school. Our folk greet each other with each other’s clan names to honour the ancestors who we believe live in us,” Letsoalo says.
Letsoalo is a fourth-year theatre and performance student at the University of the Witwatersrand who grew up in Tzaneen, Limpopo. He grew up speaking Sepedi and Xitsonga and has managed to maintain fluency in his home languages, even using them to write stories and plays.
Letsoalo values the importance that language has for tradition, saying that it’s an important way to learn more about your culture. “For me, personally, it’s from communicating with elders to learn and connect with the culture. Mind you, the mother tongue is in most cases the only language the elders speak, so it is the only medium to connect or learn about the culture. Lesoalo explains the part of his culture he can remain connected to the most through language. “[It is] the ancestral ceremonies where we pay homage to and thanksgiving to our ancestors through what is known as ‘Go Phasa/Ku phahla’. In this process we call the ancestors and the language used in this ritual is the mother tongue. Knowing the language gives a sense of belonging in the practice and I get to participate in the process.”
The future
The future for language and culture in South Africa is not bleak. Although there are numerous young people who can’t speak their mother tongue, there are still millions of young people who take pride in their languages and their culture, particularly in the arts and culture sector. The Bela Bill is a step in the right direction to help to ensure that more young people are able to receive education in their mother tongues.
Although the language issue has embarrassed me personally, I strive to use the pain as motivation. I am now motivated to learn more about my language and culture so I can help to ensure the preservation of my overall culture. A story that once caused me immense shame now empowers me to lead as an example and prove that I can eventually overcome this obstacle as I strive for a better future.
FEATURED IMAGE: An individual struggling to read a book in his home language, IsiZulu. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
It could be said that Play Braamfontein is at the forefront of bringing back the “cool” to the heart of Johannesburg’s inner city, but at what cost?
Braamfontein has always symbolized freedom and creativity. Walking down the streets of Braam one sees the mixture of old buildings and student accommodations, mixed with new and developing entertainment hubs for people to indulge themselves in. Places such as the Playground Market (formerly Neighbourgoods), Mamakashaka (formerly Great Dane) and Kitcheners Carvery Bar have given Braamfontein its social and cultural identity. But as the identity of these places continue to be phased out or replaced, new businesses have arrived and have given Braamfontein a new lease on life. Play Braamfontein is at the heart of the precinct’s maintenance and continued growth, but how much growth is too much growth?
Genesis of Play Braamfontein
Braamfontein’s history dates to the early 1800s when it was still a farm and evolved into being a suburb for middle class Afrikaaners. It became an economically booming area in the 1950s when many businesses relocated to the area. However, in the 1980s there began to be urban decay in the area which caused many of these businesses to relocate to the northern suburbs.
In response to these challenges, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) created the R13-million Braamfontein Regeneration Programme in 2002 which set out to “renew the area as a centre of business, entertainment and education”. This led to the creation and improvement of public art and safe open spaces. Around the same time, an entrepreneur, Adam Levy, founded a property-developing company that would change the suburb’s landscape forever.
Over the past two decades Play Braamfontein has acquired old buildngs and refurnashed them into attractive spaces where people can enjoy themselves safely in the inner city.
One of the company’s most notable new changes includes the Rooftop Basketball Court, South Africa’s first 3v3 rooftop basketball court. In addition, the reopening of Johannesburg’s first ever City Beach Club helped bring a fresh and unique dynamic to the city of Joburg. These venues add to the influential role Play Braamfontein had already established in the area partly due to The Playground, a lively market and entertainment space which sees people flock from all over the province every weekend.
Siyabonga Mncube, a 21-year-old student at Boston College and a Braamfontein resident believes that Play Braamfontein has “injected Braam Square with life.” He believes that the area has not been the same since the Covid-19 pandemic, and that Play Braamfontein’s rising influence is exciting.
Further, he said that their role is crucial to the local economy as they are creating new jobs, citing the KFC concept store as an example (also known as ‘KFC at Play Braam’). The location of the KFC concept store was once home to Uncle Faozi, a food shop where many partygoers would go after a night out. It brings new elements unprecedented at KFC stores such as fashion collaborations, new menus, virtual technology and LED lighting that make it an enhancing hub.
Intersection of Juta and De Beer Street, Braamfontein of Play Braamfontein spaces. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa
In March, it was announced that the beloved Kitcheners Carvery Bar would be closing. Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela, former owner of Kitcheners, Andrew Clement, said that the century long pub was “at the forefront of the revival of Braamfontein for the past 15 years” and that it had to close “for economic reasons”. Once again, Play Braamfontein stepped in, taking over the bar and announced that Kitcheners would not in fact be closing, but rather “restored and uplifted” by them soon.
The statement promised to breathe new life into the pub which suffered negatively from the pandemic and that it will be known as ‘’The Original’ Kitcheners Carvery Bar ‘once it has reopened. This latest addition in the properties acquired by Play Braamfontein helps boost their aims of creating a vibrant and creative space that helps Braamfontein be a unique social area.
Through the efforts of innovating new and exclusive venues for the area of Braamfontein as well as its role in celebrating music through one of its most popular venues, The Playground, Play Braamfontein has helped make Braamfontein the heart of culture and creativity. But do these attempts count as gentrification and what effects does it have on the community?
Gentrification is defined as the process where homes and businesses in a poor area are renovated by middle class or wealthy people, which results in the rise of property value or the displacement of existing residents.
According to this definition, one can say that Play Braamfontein have indeed gentrified the area of Braamfontein to some extent. They have acquired several buildings and have at least seven spaces listed on their website which are open to bookings. These spaces are mainly on the intersection of Juta and De Beer Street, with Play Braamfontein owning at least seven out of almost 15 different spaces of leisure in this small segment of Braam. Further, rates to rent out Play Braamfontein spaces start at R20 000 and go up to R45 000 before tax.
There are no official records of residents being forced out of buildings due to the acquisitions of Play Braamfontein, but it is an issue that has persisted in the inner city of Johannesburg, particularly in places such as Maboneng and Doornfontein according to a UJ study.
Ruby Delahunt, a Wits Vuvuzela student journalist, states that while she sees the good that Play Braamfontein is doing for the economy, she believes that they are “pushing out the people that are in Braam.”
“I remember going back to the market when it first started three to four years ago and it’s completely different to how it is now”, said Delahunt, stating that places are way more expensive and that they are more focused on nightlife and drinking, lacking in originality.
Play Braamfontein’s spaces continue to coexist, however, with longstanding Braamfontein pubs such as The Banister Hotel, Wing Republic and Drama Club which have been cornerstones in the culture of Braamfontein. Nostalgic partygoers and residents may be at ease that key Braamfontein attractions are still in existence.
Play Braamfontein has without a doubt been essential to the revival of Braamfontein. It has not only transformed the physical space of the area but has redefined means of having fun through the creation of different venues which people can experience in new and creative ways. Although the development of properties can bring positive change to an area, one must account for the possible challenges such as increased property values which may make the area less accessible to the average citizen.
Looking forward, Play Braamfontein has a bright future, and one can say that they are just getting started. The recent acquisition of Kitcheners and their ongoing renovations on their spaces show that the property developing company continue to make this small segment of Braamfontein a revolutionary area that celebrates cultural heritage. As Play Braamfontein continues with their groundbreaking innovation, they must be aware of the challenges it brings and ensure that Braamfontein remains an area where individuals from all walks of life can enjoy themselves.
FEATURED IMAGE: A sign written, “A new era Kitchener’s opening soon.” Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) victories, international trophies and Olympic medals have made being South African a pleasure and tremendous source of pride.
South African pride is soaring, with UFC victories, another Rugby World Cup win and a handful Olympic medals. Dricus Du Plessis’ recent UFC title defense, the Springboks maintaining their world champion status and Tyla’s musical accolades are all examples of how South Africans are making their presence known on the global stage.
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, South African UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis retained his UFC Middleweight Championship by submitting Israel Adesanaya. Seven months prior to that, Du Plessis became the first South African UFC champion after he defeated Sean Strickland for the championship.
These recent triumphs build on a wave of victories that all started just less than a year ago when the Springboks won back-to-back World Cups by defeating New Zealand in 2023. Euphoria was injected into the air as South Africans celebrated. The victory showcased that despite the challenges we face as a nation, South Africans can achieve on a world stage.
In the same year, the global music stage was set alight by South African popstar Tyla, who released her breakout hit Water. The single gained Tyla worldwide recognition, receiving a Grammy and a BET award in 2024; achievements which are unprecedented for South African performers. Tyla continues to display her South African pride and has made it easy for her fans to relate with and adore her.
These accomplishments, however, are not enough for us to turn a blind eye to the issues that we face as a nation. South Africa continues to experience high levels of crime as well as high unemployment, with there being an average of 45% youth unemployment. South Africa has a rich history of inequality and oppression, and the longstanding effects of these detriments continue to affect the modern lived experience of South Africans.
So, the question is why could anybody be proud of being a South African? Racism has been a longstanding component of the nation and there continues to be unequal distributions of wealth; why on earth would I be proud of being from such a nation? The answer for me is simple – because it’s my nation of birth and I have no choice but to be proud of it.
Despite the issues that the nation faces, South Africa is made of a variety of beautiful cultures and languages that give us our unique identity. Our differences are our strength in many cases.
2024 has been a great indication of the rollercoaster of emotions that South Africans must endure. In the month of May, the National Elections saw South Africans vote for a new government, resulting in a national coalition government for the first time in its history. This, coupled with Bafana Bafana’s third place victory in the AFCON tournament and the South African Olympic team receiving six medals all make up for an eventful year for South Africans.
I am a proud South African and I am a firm believer that our nation has so much potential to fight for. In the face of challenges and obstacles, I am confident that South Africa will find ways to prevail, and I encourage every South African to share the same belief. We, as South Africans, are not allowing the ghosts of our pasts to affect our present but are rather focused on building a better future for South Africa.
FEATURED IMAGE: South African flag reworked into DNA helix. Photo: Reddit/@lwazilwapheshey
A compelling piece that takes the reader into the minds of South African serial killers through narrative psychology.
On Saturday, 17 August 2024, the Wits Origin Centre hosted the launch of a book titled Killer Stories written by psychologist Brin Hodgskiss and Nicole Engelbrecht, which uses the stories of serial killers to explore their psyche.
Hodgskiss interviewed several serial killers to tell their own version of events. He then applied the principles of narrative psychology to help the reader get a glimpse of how the individuals think, using his role as a psychologist to better understand them.
In his conversations with the serial killers, Hodgskiss learnt that the environment played a huge role in the way that these individuals turned out. He also noted that many of them had a misogynist outlook that made it difficult for him to bear and listen to.
While writing, Hodgskiss realized that “the role that was played by the stories I told myself about myself was part of the problem.” He added, “I noticed amongst all the serial murderers I spoke to was the power that their story has.” These stories that serial killers told to themselves about their place in the world “influenced the crimes they committed”.
Hodgskiss was joined by the curator of the Wits Origins Centre Dr Tammy Reynards and Wits academics Beth Amato and Dr Sahba Besharati who formed a panel to discuss crime, trauma, and healing in South Africa.
Speaking to the audience, Hodgskiss explained his journey prior to writing the book, stating that it all started when he was part of a team at Rhodes University that went to Grahamstown to help the police with identifying offenders. This led him to different maximum-security prisons, where he interviewed serial killers.
Nichole Engelbrecht, the host of True Crime South Africa, a victim-focused true crime podcast, invited Hodgskiss a guest on an episode after reading his research on ‘Lessons from serial murder in South Africa’. The two managed to maintain a relationship that resulted in them agreeing to write a book together which was completed in just nine months.
The book comes at a time where South Africa is experiencing a high crime index. According to South African Police Service statistical report for 2023/2024, there were 27, 368 recorded cases of murder, meaning that an average of 75 people were murdered every day in that period. The annual crime stats are due to be released next week, and one can only hope that a less chilling picture awaits.
Nevertheless, this book helps bring to the forefront that the lived experience of serial killers and their understanding of their role in society play a huge role in their destiny.
FEATURED IMAGE: Left to right: Brin Hodgskiss, Sahba Besharati & Beth Amato. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Customers waited in long queues to experience Shein’s first pop-up store in South Africa.
The Chinese online clothing store, Shein, opened a pop-up store in Mall of Africa, where attendees got to physically engage with the products before buying, for the first time.
But strangely, customers could only feel and try on clothes, purchases still had to be finalised online, not at the store itself. Instead, they had to install the Shein app and scan the QR codes to buy their hauls.
Walking into the store, predominantly pink decor and calming tunes played by the in-store DJ made for a less chaotic experience than going on the app itself, with countless pop-up’s and spinning coming at you.
Apart from clothes, beauty products like make-up and fragrances were also on display and available for testing.
Teacher, Rorisang Jones, commented on the long wait she had to endure, she said, “I actually find it hilarious because you can’t actually buy”.
In a statement, Shein said the aim of the store is to offer an immersive in-store experience, as well as “empowering individuals to embrace their personal style without reservation.”
The opening of the pop-up store comes at a time when Shein has come under fire for exploitative labour practices, environmental harm and tax evasion. Shein, along with rival e-commerce clothing brand Temu, have been accused of exploiting a tax loophole which has enabled them pay 20% import duty as opposed to the 45% tariff that local retailers have to pay.[KK1]
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has put a hold on implementing a tax hike that would be imposed on Shein and Temu, stating that various stakeholders need to be engaged to ensure sector readiness for a tax hike.
Nevertheless, the introduction of the Shein pop-up store indicates that they have a large enough market in South Africa to stay the course when that comes to pass.
FEATURED IMAGE: Shoppers line up at Shein pop-up store. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa
Sibusisiwe Manqele, a Wits alumnus, walks us through her journey as a prominent creative in the entertainment industry.
A powerful voice, creative vision and a vibrant personality are the qualities that make Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele an innovative storyteller.
From doing voice-overs for numerous brands and writing scripts for popular South African TV shows such as Gomora, House of Zwide and currently Skeem Saam, Sibusisiwe continues to establish her as a prominent force in the industry.
Sibusisiwe grew up in Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal which is where her love for storytelling began. Her upbringing involved long commutes from home to school with private scholar transport and the other passengers were her first storytelling audience.
“These were spaces for creating stories because we’d have 30 (minutes) plus commute when I wasn’t in boarding school, and they’ll just be stories. As kids you just find things to pass time and part of that is storytelling,” she said.
This passion for storytelling drove her to want to study at The School of Arts at Wits University. She applied for a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts (now known as Theatre and Performance), a position she had to audition for despite having no prior experience in drama. “I decided to adapt a novel that I was doing and it’s only now when I think about, oh my gosh, that was the writer in (me)”. This adaptation impressed the markers and got her into the programme.
Against the recommendations made by her course coordinators, Sibusisiwe also did Television and Film, which would often clash with Dramatic Arts classes. “My friend and I had this thought that, ‘No man, we can’t be waiting for acting. When acting is not moving we need to be behind the scenes’”.
Manqele found her first time at Wits as a journey that allowed her to understand the arts and provide her with a network of other creatives, especially as a person who did not have the same artistic background as her colleagues.
After completing her majors in 2012, she spent seven years in the industry trying to get into different types of entertainment, such as lifestyle and reality shows. In 2019, she decided to pursue an Honours Degree in Creative Writing at Wits University which she felt helped her get into more linear, fiction storytelling.
Sibusisiwe Manqele is more than just a script writer but also a businesswoman and innovator at heart. She is the founder of CONTENTWOOD, a production company which tells stories “That give voice to narratives that you don’t always see”, and a part of these narratives involve the empowerment of women.
The company’s first and only short film, Questions, was an experimental film taken from poetry, looks at mental health and the experiences of black women. Manqele had the privilege of presenting the film in Paris at the Communicating Multi-Modally: Research & Expressive Culture in May 2022.
Manqele has had an illustrious career which has been topped off by her being listed as one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Women in South Africa in 2023. When asked to share wisdom for Witsies and aspiring creatives she shared that knowing oneself is the secret and beginning of all wisdom. “And then knowing what you have to give to the world and leveraging that and making the world a better place through that service.”
In a time where the second semester is starting to get the ground running, Wits students can look to Manqele as a beacon of hope for what’s to come from hard work.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele. Photo: Skinnie’s Gallery.
The Wits SRC took their fight against min-year exclusions directly to the Senate, hoping to resolve the issue before exams start.
The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) led a spirited demonstration from the Great Hall to Solomon Mahlangu House on Thursday, May 16, as they challenge the university’s mid-year registration cancellations policy.
These exclusions happen when students are unable to meet financial and/or academic obligations. In particular, cases where students are unable to settle financial difficulties which prevented them from registering in the beginning of the year.
Addressing attendees in front of the great Hall steps, Wits SRC Academic Officer, Atlegang Motshabi, said: “The reason why these two motions make sense to collaborate is because the real reason for mid-year exclusions is capitalism. That’s why they’re scared to take a stance on Palestine, because of the system of capitalism.”
The SRC led the group toward the Senate Room in attempt to stage a sit-in as the meeting took place. However, Wits security closed the doors to the venue, leading to a standoff between the SRC leaders and Wits Campus Protection Services (CPS). This caused a delay as many students were not able to enter with some having to write tests in other parts of the same building.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela after the meeting, Motshabi said their motion had not been tabled or voted on, and they were advised to tweak errors on their proposal.
“The Deputy Vice Chancellor then told us that after we are done with it, we can take it to Senate Teaching & Learning, and she would then grant an emergency meeting, to make sure that everything happens before June results come out.”
Motshabi said the plan was to be proactive and prevent mid-year exclusions before it was too late. “In March we started consulting, because before you draft a proposal you have to go on a consultative process, you need to speak to different stakeholders then you need to take into consideration the Senate meetings and dates. The one that happened in March was too early (because) we had not finished the consultative process. So that’s when we said that May 16 is proper because it’s right before exam season.”
With the exams starting in two weeks, all eyes will be on the outcome of this process.
Commission confirms the electoral process will be in full swing ahead of the elections
Sy Mamabolo, chief electoral officer for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said that they are ready for the country’s seventh democratic national elections due to take place at the end of this month.
Mamabolo was addressing the media on May 14, 2024, explaining that the country has reached the most crucial stage of the preparation process.
The electoral officer explained that the voting process will start on May 16, with over 76000 registered voters based outside of the country. After completion, “ballots will be transported through a secure channel back to the national office of the commission for counting,” explained Mamabolo.
Meanwhile, over one million special voters will have an opportunity to cast their votes two days before the general elections on May 27 and 28, 2024.
Voters will receive three ballot papers: the national compensatory ballot which will bear the names of the political parties only, the provincial and regional ballots which will have the names of parties as well as independent candidates. Citizens will be able to make their mark on each paper.
Mamabolo emphasised the importance of people voting where they have been registered. Those who wish to change voting districts can do so by notifying the Electoral Commission by no later than Friday, May 17, 2024.
To ensure that every South African can participate in the electoral process, the commission said disabled people will be assisted by the South African Council for the Blind. “We have developed a voting aid which we’ll call the Universal Ballot Template (UBT) to increase chances of confidently exercising the right to vote,” said Mamabolo. He added that the UBT “can be used by blind and partially sighted persons, persons with low visions, persons with an unsteady hand, the elderly and even people with low literacy levels.”
According to Mamabolo, there is a “record of over 160 organisations with 5000 observers domestically and all around the world (who) will be observing South Africa’s 2024 National Elections.” This is to ensure the elections are free and fair.
Counting of votes
The electoral officer explained that the counting of votes will take place at each station in the presence of political parties and independent candidates’ agents as well as observers. He added ballots from the stations will only be transported after a result slip has been concluded.
The commission will also launch the National Results Centre (ROC) on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, which will be based at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. Furthermore, Mamabolo said the commission is in the final stages of training 202 500 voting officials, who will oversee the election process at the various voting stations.
Registered voters can check their voting station ahead of election day by either SMSing their ID number to 32810 or by using the voting station finder application on the IEC website
FEATURED IMAGE: Independent Electoral Commission logo: Photo: File
Students staying in private student accommodations in Braamfontein concerned by a series of suspicious power outages affecting their daily lives.
Although load-shedding has been suspended, there are still instances of power supply disruptions, frequently attributed to cable theft.
Recently, on May 1, 2024, City Power confirmed that a fire broke out at Fordsburg substation the previous night, due to suspected vandalism and cable theft.
According to City Power, cable theft at the Fordsburg substation not only started a fire, but burnt the cables linking it to the Braamfontein one. This caused a blackout for many areas in Braamfontein and Parktown. It was the third time City Power announced a power outage in Braamfontein, which resulted from cable theft in the month of April, with the area also experiencing unexplained power outages on April 1 as well April 9, 2024, respectively.
Despite this recent outage in May, in the previous month, South Point residents said that they have been solely experiencing power interruptions that have not been reported by City Power. This has caused outrage from students who believe South Point is being secretive about the cause of the interruptions. The students are also concerned about the frequency and how poorly prepared South Point is for them.
The most recent building to go through a power outage was 56 Jorissen, a South Point student accommodation situated across from the Wits Arts Museum. The outage occurred on April 24, and it lasted for three days. Tenants also experienced water issues alongside power outage.
South Point accommodation, 56 Jorissen, and Wits Arts Museum, Braamfontein. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa
A tenant at 56 Jorissen Omolemo Tsomele, a third year LLB student at Wits University, expressed his concerns regarding the frequent power outages. He criticized South Point’s lack of sufficient assistance with the matter, and said that they waited until the electricity returned to help the tenants with food, which was already too late as groceries were affected by the outage. Tsomele also cites 56 Jorissen’s lack of a backup generator was a problem as the outages occur frequently, adding that the generator that is in place only lights up the hallway and keeps the Wifi on.
Earlier in April, a similar experience occurred at another South Point building in 46 de Korte from the 8th of April to the 11th. Sibongiseni Lungani Daniel, a fourth-year Theatre and Performance student at Wits University is a tenant at this accommodation. He expressed that residents at the accommodation did not receive clear communication on the issue.
He claims that South Point only provided food on the third day of the power outage. He said he is unhappy with the minimal efforts that it makes in times of power crises, and he questions why City Power does not have cables readily available to replace the stolen cables, given that it is a recurring issue.
On April 26, 2024, The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) published a statement on Instagram acknowledging the power outage at South Point 56; and stated they met with them that night before. In the same statement, it was said that the power had been restored and that the SRC were working with South Point management to distribute meals to those who were affected.
South Point was unavailable to comment on both instances. When asked about the specific power outages at South Point, City Power referred the publication to X, where they regularly give updates about outages.
FEATURED IMAGE: Braamfontein sign and switched off traffic light. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
A group of young amateur boxers get to test their strength in a grueling competition filled with bloody noses and technical knockouts.
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, a white-collar boxing event was held at Lightweights Gym in Northfield, Johannesburg, giving promising and inexperienced boxers a platform to showcase their skills in front of an audience.
Boxers squaring off in intense fight. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
A group of local boxers came together to create a competition that allowed beginner boxers, who had not competed in official fights, to go up against one another. Ten fights were contested throughout the evening, each one consisting of three, two-minute rounds.
It was a high-adrenaline competition with a couple of fights resulting in a Technical Knock-Out (TKO) which is when a referee stops the match due to one of the fighters being unable to continue fighting or defending themselves.
Lusanda Komanisi, former IBO World Champion and multiple-title holder, was one of the organizers of the prestigious event. When speaking about the importance of it, he said: “We wanted to put fun in it and make people be able to watch boxing and make them scream as much as they want to.”
He added that the event made him proud because of the positive shift away from watching professional fighting as it was able “to put amateurs [in the ring] and give them a chance to shine.”
One of the favourites of the night was Wits graduate, Nota Jiyane, who sparred against Third-year Wits student, Kgothatso Swandle, and won the duel. Jiyane, who was in high spirits following his victory reflected “The fight went to plan, nothing out of the ordinary, you know. I just stuck to the plan that the coaches gave me, it went well”.
Jiyane says the sport is personal for him, “I used to be bullied back when I was a kid, and this was me stepping out of my comfort zone. So, I’m not going to stop now.”
He also believes small platforms like this are where untapped talent lies, “we can be known as the hotspot for one of the best fighters in the world and I believe that we can do that just by doing these little events,”.
Tshepiso Fambe, a spectator, praised the event for bringing people together and allowing people to “showcase their talent”.
Nevertheless, the event was a success, and potential fighters can look forward to the next event which will be hosted in July, giving them ample time to prepare.
FEATURED IMAGE: Two boxers fighting at white-collar event. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Mismanagement, failures in meeting requirements and delays in paying student allowances are some of the reasons leading to the dissolution of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande has blamed the outgoing National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board for not fulfilling their administrative duties, and students failing as a result.
In a media briefing held on Sunday, April 14, Nzimande addressed the recurring problem of non-payment and student allowances that have been plaguing NSFAS. The minister responded to this by dissolving the board on April 11, 2024.
Nzimande said the outgoing NSFAS board were unable to uphold basic responsibilities, with some of these shortcomings being the “consistent inability to oversee payment of student allowances timeously,” and the scheme’s failure to respond to student queries timeously.
The outgoing board was also unable to meet the Werksman Report requirements. One of the key requirements was to terminate the contracts of four of the service providers as these tenders were handed irregularly.
Now the scheme has a new administrator, Sithembiso Freeman Nomvalo. He is the former CEO of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and has 25 years of experience under his belt, 17 split between the private and public sector. Nomvalo has also been credited for possessing “extensive knowledge and (an) impeccable track record in public finance and government processes”.
First on the agenda for Nomvalo is taking over the governance, management, and administration of NSFAS for a period of one year, which is subject to a renewal of a further 12 months depending on the progress that is made.
The new administrator will also be required to “finalize all the necessary financial decisions and outstanding payments especially those relating to student accommodation”.
Joseph Baloyi, a first-year BA Law student at Wits University and a NSFAS beneficiary does not believe that the change will have any positive effect.
He claims that he has been experiencing delays in receiving his allowances throughout the year and that private banks are the reason for the delays. He believes that the solution is for the Minister to “remove the private banks, then pay the school so that the school can pay us.”
At the briefing, Chief Operation Officer at NSFAS, Errol Makhubela, confirmed that “NSFAS has granted an extension to all universities to continue to disperse allowances to students from April to July 2024”.
The scheme advanced an upfront payment to distribute the student allowances which will commence on Monday, 15 April 2024. Makhubela said the advanced upfront payment, which covers book allowances, food allowances and travel allowances will be paid for by the institutions.
FEATURED IMAGE: A student filling in paperwork for funding. Photo: File.
South Africa has invested over R60 billion in its transport infrastructure over the last 30 years! While you can certainly see some of that investment, major modes of transport are just not keeping up with how urbanised Johannesburg and its surrounding areas are becoming. Here on The Next Stop, I am joined by Olga Mashilo […]
