by Staff Reporter | Mar 14, 2014 | News
AS soon as we hear the word “corruption”, we automatically think of dodgy politicians in Armani suits, meeting in exclusive bars and exchanging brown envelopes filled with cash. Most South Africans have an opinion on corruption and probably a personal experience of how they have been affected by corruption.[pullquote]Whether it’s accepting more change than you should, allowing your friend to copy your assignment or paying a bribe to pass your driving licence, most of us have done it.[/pullquote]
Everyday corruption in South Africa
When one reads through any of our nation’s major newspapers we are bombarded with endless stories of corruption. Negligent spending of state funds by civil servants and government officials, lavish family trips, high performance sport cars and the list goes on, seemingly all coming from an endless supply of cash.
Although these are “typical” examples of corruption, they are not the only form of corruption. Citizens perform corrupt acts on a daily basis without the fear of being caught by the media or being placed under investigation.
When the South African Social Security Agency decided to improve the efficiency and security of its system to pay social grants there had been incidents of citizens defrauding the state. There were cases of women registering the same child in more than one province for a social grant. Employed women receiving social grants and people who were not of pensionable age falsified their identity document to receive their pensions early.
Though these are extreme cases, many of us have committed a corrupt act. Whether it’s accepting more change than you should, allowing your friend to copy your assignment or paying a bribe to pass your driving licence, most of us have done it.
What’s wrong, what’s right?
Most people are quick to point a finger at corrupt government officials for all their wrongdoings and rightfully so. All taxpayers have a right to complain about wasteful spending involving the money they entrust to the government and all citizens have a right to expect delivery on political promises of services, infrastructure and welfare benefits.
We cannot complain about crime if we perpertuate that culture. We cannot pay a bribe and complain about corruption, or accept a job from an uncle if you did not follow the appropriate recruitment process. We need learn to be accountable for our actions now and have a high moral standard.[pullquote align=”right”]Employed women receiving social grants and people who were not of pensionable age falsified their identity document to receive their pensions early.[/pullquote]
Time for reflection
We need to take note of our own corruption, the little corrupt things we do that will become big problems. It is said absolute power corrupts absolutely. Someday we will be in leadership positions that require ethical conduct. It’s important to have our moral compass right.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 11, 2014 | Featured 1, News
Around 2000 rhinos have been poached in South Africa since 2012.
Regardless of the efforts made to stop this, the numbers increase year after year. Will we be able to stop rhino poaching? By starting with the atrocious story of a mutilated rhino being found by Belgian tourists in The Kruger National Park , The Science Inside explores the science and technology of rhino poaching.
The following clip here looks at the organized crime networks behind rhino poaching and how the networks keep ahead of the technology.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 7, 2014 | News
Wits vice-chancellor Professor Adam Habib will once again be holding a town hall meeting with Witsies. The announcement poster was received via email just a few minutes ago.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 7, 2014 | News
BEING part of a newsroom has always reminds one of “the pit” at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Picture hundreds of suited-up brokers screaming into telephones, betting frantically on stocks. It’s all very similar to a room full of journalists hustling to get the latest scoop, the most updated version of a story, fighting to make deadline – except they’re dressed in baggy T-shirts, jeans and trainers. [pullquote]”Radio stations, newspapers, TV and glossy magazines are all biting off pieces of flesh from this meaty beat, as if nothing else in the world matters.”[/pullquote]
But this week, this much-anticipated week, the week of Oscar’s trial, is the week that will send journos reeling in a frenzy as they try to outdo rival publications and show up their colleagues.
Coverage of the trial is unavoidable. Even if you don’t care, which we doubt is possible, information on the trial is all around us. Twitter is looking as mundane and repetitive as ever as the press tweet about proceedings, being re-tweeted over and over again.
Radio stations, newspapers, TV and glossy magazines are all biting off pieces of flesh from this meaty beat, as if nothing else in the world matters. [pullquote align=”right”]”Could Oscar’s fate be sold on the market as “stock”? At this rate, we wouldn’t be surprised.”[/pullquote]
The Oscar trail is the biggest thing to hit South African media since Mandela’s death and we all want to know what is happening, as it happens. There were even rumours of people taking time off work to watch the case live on the specialist television channel created for the trial.
The tabloids have worn out every pun that could ever apply, advertisers are thinking up witty campaigns, comedians are sitting tight as material just flows seamlessly into their gags and we are raising bets on the outcome.
Could Oscar’s fate be sold on the market as “stock”? At this rate, we wouldn’t be surprised.
The times of waiting for the day to come to an end then receiving a comprehensive news article about what happened, are gone. WE WANT LIVE UPDATES!
We want to know everything because, boy, do we love drama! We are all in this together, all swimming in this giant pool filled with hashtags, sensational headlines, pictures and “he said-she saids”.
And how ironic! With the 86th Oscar awards ceremony taking place in the early hours of Monday morning, we couldn’t have asked for a better fix of drama in one day.
But just how dramatic can this trial really get? Media are going to have to hope for an elephant stampede or an acrobatic show if they want to keep us on the edge of our seats. Tweets like: “#Pistorius drinks water from a bottle, his left hand trembling” are just not going to cut it.
Wits Vuvuzela is not covering the Oscar trial as we thought our readers were, as it is, already spoiled for choice. At the end of the day what will be, will be. The outcome will remain whether we follow the trial or not.
In the meantime the media will try its best to put on a good show as the JSE continues to promise to make you money.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 4, 2014 | Sport
LINE OUT: Witsies try their best to gain possession of the ball during their match against NMMU on Monday night. Photo: Luke Matthews
by Luke Matthews
The rain and gloom of Johannesburg’s weather matched Wits’ performance in their match against Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
The Wits rugby team were defeated 18-12 in a Varsity Cup match on their home turf.
Hopes were high when Wits scored the first try of the game, giving them a 4-0 lead. Although the rain may have steered away some supporters, the stands still roared with excitement.
NMMU hits back
With increased pressure on the visiting side, The Madibaz as the NMMU team is known, quickly recovered when flank Chris Cloete scored a try putting them 5-4 in the lead.
LADIES MEN: Pupils from Parktown Boys dressed in drag as part of their initiation attended the match to show their support for Wits. Photo: Luke Matthews
The rain and wet weather conditions also made for a challenging game as the forwards were constantly put to the test.
The Wits side suffered another setback when lock Rinus Botha was sent to the sin bin for stepping on another player’s head.
In the second half the boys in blue had an abysmal start when the NMMU side extending their lead to 13-8.
But not all faith was lost. During the final ten minutes of the game Wits pushed back with a try from Brent Crossley. This was however, too little too late when the Madibaz scrumhalf, Enrico Acker secured the victory for NMMU with a final try leaving Wits defeated at 18-12.
Varsity Cup festivities heat up the stands
Although Wits has taken a few knocks in this seasons Varsity Cup, the close score against NMMU shows some improvement.
RELATED ARTICLES:
by Staff Reporter | Mar 4, 2014 | News
This week the world is zooming in on the Oscar Pistorius trial and the Science Inside was no different.
The forensic evidence of the Pistorius trial was the topic up for discussion in this week’s show. Professor Stephen Tuson from The Wits Law Clinic and forensic scientist Dr David David Klatzow joined Paul McNally in-studio. They discussed how the quality of an expert witness is crucial to the trial and unpack all the forensic details from the bullets to the blood to why he carried her down the stairs.
On this the second day of the trial, listen to the podcast to hear what to look out for as the trial goes on.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 3, 2014 | News
Wits University has released a statement regarding the anti-homosexuality laws that have recently been passed in Nigeria and Uganda. The statement is reproduced in full below.
“MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL
DATE: MONDAY, 3 MARCH 2014
STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND PERTAINING TO ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LEGISLATION IN AFRICA
The University of the Witwatersrand notes with dismay and concern recent legislation in Nigeria and Uganda that criminalises women and men who express themselves through relationships other than those defined as heterosexual. It also decries the targeted violence that has accompanied this legislation in these and other countries.
While academic debates may focus on the extent to which human sexuality is a result of nature or nurture, or whether it is inherent to Western or African culture, the reality is that diversity in terms of sexual orientation is part of the recorded history of virtually all societies.
Tolerance and acceptance of such diversity has not been easily secured, but those nations that have afforded equal rights to sexual minorities alongside a multitude of other diverse identities can justifiably claim the benefits of an equitable and just environment for their citizens who live in, and actively contribute to an inclusive and productive state.
The University of the Witwatersrand values diversity and believes that its student and staff body should reflect a multiplicity of race, gender, socio-economic background, urban and rural geographic origin, culture, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin and sexual orientation.
Indeed it believes that everyone has a role to play in furthering human development and that diversity can only enhance learning and the generation human knowledge. Such principles are the foundation of university policies and are underpinned by values enshrined within the constitution of South Africa.
It is the University’s view that recent legislation in Africa and elsewhere that seeks to criminalise sexual minorities, runs counter to these values and in addition contravenes key articles contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is apparent that these legislations are driven, not by a desire to address true criminality but rather are projected by an incomplete understanding of human sexuality compounded by an orchestrated campaign of hate towards vulnerable groups.
South Africans understand only too well the damaging legacy that hate founded on institutionalised prejudice can deliver and that while the seeds of hate are easy to sow, they can take generations to uproot once they have spread and taken hold. Leadership carries with it a huge responsibility, not least of which is protection of minority rights from the ebb and flow of opinion amongst the “moral majority”.
The University (that counts amongst its staff and students, thinkers from across the continent of Africa), stands with other academic institutions in urging leaders to reflect carefully on what they have allowed to pass and points out that history will judge harshly those who are responsible for imprisoning others as a result of whom they love.
We strongly urge that these laws be rescinded and encourage others who value the sanctity of Universal Human Rights to call for the same.”
RECENT ARTICLES:
by Staff Reporter | Feb 28, 2014 | Featured 1, News
Justice Edwin Cameron meets and greets well-wishers at the launch of his book Justice this week.Photo: Luca Kotton.
by Luca Kotton and Roxanne Joseph
Being gay or even supporting gay rights is now illegal in Uganda and can lead to life imprisonment.
Less than a week ago, President Yoweri Museveni signed the anti-homosexuality bill into law and since then, the onslaught from both local and international communities alike has been significant.
The act “prohibits any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex; prohibits the promotion or recognition of such relations and to provide for other related matters.”
First drafted in 2009, the bill originally proposed the death penalty, but was later amended to life imprisonment because of international pressure.
Having sex with someone of the same gender, marrying someone of the same gender and touching someone of the same gender with “intent” to engage in a sexual act will land you in prison for the rest of your life. Officiating a same-gender marriage, aiding or counselling an LGBTI individual, offering premises or supplies to an LGBTI individual and directing a company or NGO that supports LGBTI rights leads to prison time of five to seven years.
Despite the watered down version of the bill coming into law, several countries – including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the US and the UK – have pulled financial aid from Uganda, one of the world’s poorest nations (as classified by the World Bank).
South Africa’s Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke said “oppressors like (Ugandan President Yoweri) Museveni should not be allowed to flourish.”
Speaking at the launch of Justice Edwin Cameron’s book Justice, on Thursday night, Moseneke added his voice to the condemnation of Uganda’s recently signed Bill. Cameron is one of South Africa’s most prominent gay rights activists and a colleague of Moseneke at the Constitutional Court. [Read an extract from Cameron’s newest book here.]
No official condemnation of Uganda’s anti-homosexuality act has yet been issued by the South African government.
by Staff Reporter | Feb 25, 2014 | News
Johannesburg’s mild earth tremors and women who eat toxic clay to lighten their skin tone are two of the stories in this week’s The Science Inside. The weekly science show on campus radio station VoWFM also looks at a community learning about the scientific impact of their lives on the their surroundings.
Listen to the podcast of the show presented and produced by Paul McNally and former #teamvuvu journalist Anina Mumm, here:
by Staff Reporter | Feb 14, 2014 | News
This article originally appeared on africacheck.org.
[hr]
South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, celebrated his government’s achievements in his fifth State of the Nation address, the last of his current term. But in a country struggling with crime, corruption, poverty and unemployment, how did he fare? We fact-checked some of the key claims.
Researched by Kate Wilkinson, Sintha Chiumia, Nechama Brodie and Julian Rademeyer
By their very nature, State of the Nation addresses are tricky to fact-check. They are written by committees, the product of many hands and inputs from many government departments and agencies. The facts and figures that make the final cut are carefully selected and often stripped of nuance and context to present the most positive picture possible.
This was Jacob Zuma’s fifth State of the Nation address and the last of his current term. You can read his full speech here.
Being an election year, Zuma’s speech borrowed heavily from the African National Congress manifesto and reflected on the ANC’s claimed achievements over the past five years and twenty years. Viewed in isolation, many of the numbers he presented stand up. But they often lack context. We have endeavoured, as best we can, to evaluate Zuma’s claims within a broader context.
This is a first look at some the key claims that were made. As we examine others, we will add to the report. Follow us on Twitter @AfricaCheck, Facebook and Google+ for updates as we progress.
“We have created 3,7 million work opportunities over the past five years.”
The 2012/13 annual report of the department of public works states that 3,054,027 “work opportunities” were created between April 2009 and March 2013. Zuma’s claim can only be properly assessed when the figures for 2013/14 are released later this year.
It is important to note that a “work opportunity” is not a permanent job. South Africa’s department of public works defines a work opportunity as “paid work created for an individual for any period of time” as part of South Africa’s expanded public works programme. Many “work opportunities” last only a few months. For instance, a “work opportunity” lasts an average of four months in the “infrastructure sector” and six months in the “environment and culture” sector. Ideally, these opportunities are meant to equip people with skills that can help them seek formal employment.
Zuma’s claim of 3.7-million “work opportunities” also does not mean that 3.7-million people gained work. If someone is hired for one project and then moves on to another and another, each period of employment is counted as a single “work opportunity”.
“The matric pass rate has gone up from around 61 percent in 2009 to 78 percent last year and the bachelor passes improve each year.”
In 2009 the matric pass rate was 60.6%. It increased to 78.2% in 2013.
However, South Africa’s high dropout rate means that many young people will never get the chance to write their matric examinations, let alone pass them. When the matric class of 2013 started grade two in 2003 there were 1,111,858 students. But by the time they came to sit for their final exams, their numbers had fallen to 562,112. (Read our report on why the matric pass rate is not a reliable benchmark of education quality)
With regard to the second part of Zuma’s claim, bachelor passes have not improved consistently each year since 2009. According to the education department, the number of bachelor passed increased from 109,697 in 2009 to 126,371 in 2010. But in 2011 the number of bachelor passes dipped to 120,767, before increasing to 136,047 in 2012 and 171,755 in 2013.
“The number of children attending Grade R has more than doubled, moving from about 300 thousand to more than 700 thousand between 2003 and 2011.”
In 2003 there were 315,387 students enrolled in Grade R, according to the basic education department. By 2011, enrolment had increased to 734,654. In 2013, it had increased to 779,370. These figures include both public and independent schools.
“Student enrolments at universities increased by 12% while further Education and Training college enrolments have increased by 90%.”
Zuma did not give dates for the increases but his claim appears to be supported by the department of higher education and training’s 2012/13 annual report. It states that student enrolment at universities increased by 12% from 837,779 in 2009 to 938,201 in 2012/13.
However, demand for university education far outweighs the number of places available. In 2013, the University of the Witwatersrand received over 35,000 applications for approximately 5,500 first year places
Further Education and Training College enrolments increased from 345,566 in 2010 to 657,690 in 2012/13.
“When 95% of households have access to water, the 5% who still need to be provided for, feel they cannot wait a moment longer. Success is also the breeding ground of rising expectations.”
This statement says little. Without “access to water” people die. It follows that most South Africans therefore have some or other “access to water”, be it piped, bottled, from water tankers, rain water tanks, streams and dams.
The exact source of Zuma’s 95% claim is unclear. We examined a number of similar claims in a report published last year. South Africa’s water and environmental affairs minister, Edna Molewa, has previously claimed that 94.7% of South Africans have access to “clean and safe drinking water”. Her spokesman, Mava Scott, claimed last year that 96.4% of all households had access to “piped water”.
The 2011 national census put the figure of households with “access to piped water” at 91.2%.The most recent general household survey, published last year by Statistics South Africa, states that 90.8% of households had “access to piped water” in 2012. The figures differ from province to province. In the Eastern Cape, for instance, only 79% of households were found to have access to piped water.
When we spoke to him last year, Scott explained that “[w]hen we talk about piped water, we are normally referring to infrastructure and people have access to water coming out of that infrastructure”. As recent violent water protests in South Africa’s North West province have shown, having a tap in your yard, home or street, doesn’t mean you have water or that the water is “clean and safe”.
Nationally there has been growing dissatisfaction over the quality of water. According to the general household survey, in 2012, “60,1% of households rated the quality of water-related services they received as ‘good’”.
“Satisfaction has, however, been eroding steadily since 2005 when 76,4% of users rated the services as good. Residents of Free State, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape have consistently been least satisfied with the quality of water. In 2012, 15,1% of households in Free State felt that their water smelled bad compared to 11,7% of Mpumalanga households and only 2,4% of Gauteng households. Free State households were most likely to feel that their water was unsafe to drink (15,1%), not clear (16,5%) and not tasting well (15,2%).”
Zuma’s suggestion that recent violent service delivery protests can be attributed to the “rising expectations” of the “5% who still need to be provided for”, has been characterised as “spin-doctoring” by a number of political commentators and opposition parties. We have been unable to find any reliable research that supports his contention.
“Parliament is finalising amendments to the law to give effect to this very positive development, which will cut to under 300 days, the time it takes to start a mine, from application to final approvals.”
A typed copy of Zuma’s speech that was circulated by Zuma’s office quotes him referring to “under 300 days” as the time it will take to start a mine. But, while delivering his speech in parliament, Zuma referred to “under 30 days”. (Watch from 2:22:00) Zuma was wrong. His spokesman, Mac Maharaj, told Africa Check the correct figure is 300 days.
by Staff Reporter | Feb 6, 2014 | News
Professor Jackie Dugard has been appointed the Director of the Sexual Harassment Office at Wits. Photo: Wits University.
Wits University has appointed Professor Jackie Dugard as the head of the newly established sexual harassment office.
Dugard, an admitted advocate is also the co-founder of SERI (The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa) and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
In a statement announcing Dugard’s appointment, the university said: “Professor Dugard has been tasked with assessing the current structure to deal with sexual harassment on our campuses, and to adapt it as appropriate, in line with the University’s new approved policies and procedures. Her role will include working with relevant University departments to ensure that Wits has sufficient, trustworthy systems in place to ensure a safe environment on our campuses.”
by Staff Reporter | Feb 3, 2014 | Featured 1
Some of the rescued chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Institute Chimp Sanctuary in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Photo: Dinesh Balliah.
This article was originally posted by Wits University on 31 January 2014.
Dr Jane Goodall, world renowned chimpanzee expert and UN Messenger of Peace, will deliver a public lecture at Wits University on the topic:
“The Life and Times of Dr Jane Goodall – in celebration of her 80th year”
Date: Friday, 7 February 2014
Time: 17:30 for 18:00
Venue: Great Hall, Braamfontein Campus East, Wits University
The lecture is free but attendees are invited to make a donation of R150 per person to the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa (JGISA). To make a donation online, visit http://www.janegoodall.co.za/h2h-donations.htm.
The JGISA will also be selling their new, limited edition, fundraising Relate bracelets at the lecture. The bracelets jointly celebrate the birthdays of Goodall, who will be turning 80 on 3 April; Thabu, the JGISA’s youngest chimp, who will be turning one; and Joao, the JGISA’s oldest chimp, who is an estimated 70 years old! The bracelets will be on sale for R40.
About Dr Jane Goodall
Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, is a world-renowned British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace. Her extensive research into the behaviour of chimpanzees, which started in Tanzania in the 1960s and continues today, fundamentally altered scientific thinking about the relationship between humans and other mammals.
In 1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute, which continues her research and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. The Institute is recognised for its innovative, community-centred conservation and development programmes. Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, an environmental and humanitarian youth programme, connects thousands of youth globally who make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.
Her honours include the French Legion of Honour, the Medal of Tanzania, and Japan’s prestigious Kyoto Prize. In 2002, Goodall was appointed as a UN Messenger of Peace and in 2004 was named a Dame of the British Empire.
For enquiries, contact:
Kelebogile Tadi on 011 717 1146 or email kelebogile.tadi@wits.ac.za
