by Staff Reporter | Apr 25, 2012 | Sport
Wits Sports Administration (WSA) has spent over an estimated R1 million in the last three months on repairing sports facilities, allegedly vandalised and abused by Wits students, on all Wits campuses.
While the issue has been ongoing for some time, the WSA is now struggling with a lack of finances to pay for on-going repairs.
“Sports admin simply does not have the budget to repair as well maintain all of Wits’ sport facilities. And over the years the sports budget has decreased,” said Vardhan.
The Vuvuzela was told that it costs WSA R300 000 to repair a single tennis court and that to replace damaged or broken tennis court fences will cost R80 000.
WSA, according to Vardhan, generates no profit and on some occasions have to get assistance from PIMD.
When asked by Vuvuzela if WSA was doing anything to improve security around the sports facilities Vardhan replied that locks are put on the facilities gates but they are either cut or damaged.
“Security is an issue and we at WSA have to constantly remind campus security to watch the students during major sports events as well as over the weekend and Friday afternoons.”
Vuvuzela observed that the service delivery gate to the west and east campus gyms have been left open since February and Wits students constantly “hang out” on the cricket pitch.
“Students have no respect for Wits sports property, they cut holes in the tennis fences and run across the cricket pitch in soccer boots,” said Vardhan.
WSA plans to generate enough funding to establish a mobile security team to monitor all of Wits’ sports facilities.
In addition to vandalising sports facilities WSA staff have also observed students vandalising sports ablutions facilities.
The walking of pets on the sports fields and the failure to clean up after them has also become an issue that has been largely publicised.
FREE FOR ALL: A lack of security is largely to blame for damage to majority of Wits' sports facilities. Photo by Akinoluwa Oyedele.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 20, 2012 | News
A month’s delay in the planned renovation of the east campus gym has resulted in its becoming a safety hazard, according to gym users.
The refurbishments were to begin at the end of March and were expected to be complete before the start of the second teaching block. Renovations were originally planned for last year, but work was halted due to lack of funds.
The gym is still being used by staff and students, even though members complain the equipment has not been well maintained or properly repaired. Some of the gym equipment has been removed.
“A 10kg weight nearly fell on my foot while I was training, all because the last weight clip broke,” said Chris Nyawo, 4th year BA Dramatic Arts.
“The gym needs new equipment. The one triceps pull is being held by a pin and not a bolt,” said Ciaran Haynes, 4th year BA English.
Vuvuzela also observed that there were now no weight clips in the gym at all. These are designed to secure a bar weight to the bar to prevent it from falling off. The two rowers date back to the 1970s and there are only two exercise bicycles.
According to the senior manager of Horizon View Virgin Active, Tshepo Mmakau: “Gym equipment is meant to be repaired within 24 hours and a maintenance log book is meant to be present at the gym.”
Mmakau said the presence and continued use of old and damaged equipment was unethical and, in the fitness industry, was considered unprofessional.
Director of Wits sports administration Size Vardhan told Vuvuzela he was aware that “service delivery” and maintenance were issues. There were plans to improve this, he said.
Funds to have the gym repaired and to secure new equipment were secured on January 31.
“The supplier [of new gym equipment] has indicated that delivery will only be in mid-May,” said senior sports administration manager Marius Henn. “The manufacturer is located in Italy, hence the delay.”
He said he would confirm a specific delivery date next week, when PIMD and students would be notified of planned closures. Henn previously told Vuvuzela that sports administration was to spend over R112 000 on spin bicycles and new weights.
A total of 3 320 students and staff are registered at both gyms, which are also used by some of Wits’ athletes.
Published in Vuvzela Print Edition, 20 April 2012
by Staff Reporter | Apr 18, 2012 | Sport
Plans to build Wits’ first artificial hockey turf are underway.
“The tenders to have the turf built will be submitted for approval on Friday April 20,” said Erika Venter from the Wits Sports Administration (WSO).
Wits University only has one indoor hockey turf and teams have to travel off campus to either the Kaspersky Randburg Astro Turf or St John’s College in Houghton.
“Many Wits hockey players find practicing off campus an issue and the new turf will be a relief for those players as Sports Admin does not provide transportation,” said Shane Skinner, Wits Hockey chairman.
Budget constraints have halted previous plans to build the turf. The new turf, complete with lighting, fencing and the club house will cost Wits Sports Administration between R7-million and R9-million.
Wits have three hockey players that compete on a national level and the building of this new turf will be of great benefit to them.
“The new artificial turf is in line with a series of plans to improve sports infrastructure at Wits,” said Size Vardhan WSO Director Size Vardhan.
The new turf will be located on Wits’ education campus and will be completed before the end of the 2012 academic year.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 16, 2012 | News
A new critical writing and thinking skills course is set to make Wits engineering students more employable.
The Critical Thinking and Language Development course was introduced as both a compulsory subject and a standalone credit to Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) first year students.
The introduction of the subject has resulted in a restructuring of the old FEBE degree.
“The Critical Thinking and Language Development course in FEBE attempts to develop existing literacy levels,” said Angelo Fick, a senior lecturer in the FEBE academic unit.
“Employers want their employees to be able to conduct themselves in a professional manner and possessing the ability to write and think critically will aid them in the process,” said Head of the Construction Economics and Management department David Root.
“The course aims to intensifying first year FEBE students’ critical thinking abilities, focusing on skills of analysis, argumentation, presentation, and some creative thinking,” said Fick.
Not all FEBE students are pleased with the introduction of the new degree.
“The course helps me to understand how the world works, but I get higher marks for Physics than I do for critical thinking,” said Kiren Hurun, 1st year BSc Construction Studies
Regothabetse Mashishi told Vuvuzela he struggles with the critical thinking course, since English is not his first language.
Head of the English Department Professor Titlestad said: “I see the introduction of such a subject to FEBE students as being beneficial, as one needs to thinking creatively and critically in order to express their ideas.”
Critical thinking is currently being taught at a first year level to several schools in the Faculty of Engineering.
The critical thinking course runs for the first semester of the Wits academic year and includes both written and oral exams.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 29, 2012 | News
The Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) has introduced The Final Year and Postgraduate Experience which is aimed at preparing students for the working environment.
The program is aimed at equipping 3rd year and honours students with the skills required to survive in the corporate world. Curriculum Vitae (CV) writing, developing oneself as a potential employee and mock interviews are some of the topics that will addressed at the event.
Career Education Specialist Raj Naran said, “Students need to take ownership and prepare themselves for the working world and the final year experience is an ideal opportunity to do so.”
Naran said a number of specialists from various sectors of the corporate field will be giving talks during the workshops.
“Practitioners from the more specialised fields like accountancy will be in attendance, we are trying to get professionals from the humanities field to come as well,” said Naran.
Life coaches from Coach Approach and Human Resource practitioners from Standard Bank will also be giving speeches.
Naran stresses it is important that students know how to write up a proper CV.
“Students come to us with half complete and sometimes unprofessional CVs and some of the times we (CCDU) are booked out and cannot assist them.”
Charissa Erwee, 3rd year BMus, was told her CV was too long and she would need to adjust it.
“I relied on LinkedIn to help me market myself as an employee but an event such as the Final Year and Postgraduate Experience will be very helpful,” said Erwee.
Diversity and relationships in the workplace will also be addressed along with how students can go about “branding” themselves through establishing a name in the working world.
The program starts July 6, during the winter vacation and ends September 19.
“Booking for the program is essential,” said Naran.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 20, 2012 | Featured 1
WITS HISTORY:
If the William Cullen library were a book its story would fill a thousand pages.
The Cullen, situated on east campus, is the oldest Wits library. Its cornerstone was laid by the Governor General the Earl of Clarendon George Herbert Hyde Villiers.
Cullen library was originally situated in central Block until it was destroyed in a fire in 1931. It was rebuilt and relocated in 1934.
During its early years it was referred to as either “the library” or “the old library”. It was officially named the William Cullen Library in March 1974.
THE LEGENDARY “OLD LIBRARY”: The78 year old William Cullen library situated at the heart of Wits east campus.
Cullen’s unknown treasures
Pieces of South Africa’s history can be found throughout the library. Fragments of the Diaz Cross are stored in a replica of the Diaz Cross located in the library’s foyer. The Diaz or Padrão de São Gregório was first erected in Kwaaihoek by Bartholomew Diaz, the founder of the Cape.
The original handwritten documents that former President Nelson Mandela wrote during the Rivonia Trial along with the Gubbins Africana Collection are some of the many famous documents stored in
the library.
The spirits of Cullen
Michele Pickover, a curator of manuscripts in the Cullen research division for 25 years, said: “The Cullen’s purpose is to preserve and safe guard the country’s historical moments.”
Historical documents stored in the Cullen’s archives are occasionally put on display in the foyer. Pickover said these exhibitions help to enlighten the students and visitors about South Africa’s history.
The library’s staff have also contributed to its rich history. Percy Freer was the first librarian in the Cullen and was responsible for the rebuilding of the library after the fire. The library had made history in 1954 when Elizabeth Hartman was elected as head librarian. Hartmann had been the first female university librarian in South Africa.
Cullen library has become a site of interest to Wits students, international researchers and the general public. The library building is a piece of history itself since it has heritage status.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 20, 2012 | News
African students at Wits expressed dissatisfaction with the university’s policy prohibiting them from registering for any African languages courses taught at the university.
These came in awake when several students tried to apply for African languages courses but were denied admission to these courses.
Lesedi Masebe, 2nd year BA, said, “I should be allowed to learn any language, especially a South African language regardless of the colour of my skin or where I live or who I socialize with.”
Head of the African Languages department Dr. Mhlambi said, “Students who can speak Zulu and who come from communities where they are exposed to other African languages are encouraged to take up Drama, Ritual and Performance 1 or The History and Relationship of South African Languages instead.”
According to Wits’ 2012 rules and syllabus handbook in order for learners to pass any African language they “need to have satisfied the Head of School that s/he is proficient in one of these languages so as to warrant his/her admission.”
Mhlambi said in order for a mother tongue speaker to take up the alternatives to Elementary IsiZulu, they need to be able to read and write IsiZulu.
Masebe said although she can speak the language she cannot read or write it.
“The subjects teach students about the science of the language as well as its literature, but the examples are given in English and repeated in IsiZulu. There are a number of non-mother tongue speakers taking the course so mother tongue speakers should adjust easily” said Mhlambi.
TheEuropean Modern Languages department told Vuvuzela that students who taken a European language in first year but can speak it or have taken it in high school are transferred to second year.
Mabatho Ngoepe, 1st year BA, said, “The English and European Modern Language departments should be treated the same.”
Mhlambi said the African Languages department currently does not have a policy in place to allow students to move a year higher.
“We trying to get the policy passed through the faculty but due to the limited resources we have, it may take some time”, said Mhlambi.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 6, 2012 | Featured 1, News
Over R900 000 is to be spent on renovating and replacing equipment in the east campus gym during April.
Wits Sports Administration signed a contract for the renovation of the east campus gym on January 31.
Senior manager Marius Henn said R12 000 worth of spin bicycles and a great deal of other equipment, was to be installed. Over R100 000 would be spent on new weights.
Tshepo Mmakau, senior manager of Horizon View Virgin Active said all equipment should be replaced immediately after their warrantee has expired. A maintenance book and staff should be present at the gym at all times according to Mmakau. The east campus gym has neither.
“The presence of old and not properly fitted equipment is both dangerous and unethical,” added Mmakau.
The east campus gym currently has two exercise bicycles and three rowers, which are in poor working condition. The weights available at the gym are not clearly marked.
Mark Tatham, a 2nd year BA student said, “I had to make do with the equipment the gym had.
Most of the weights are in pounds and, during my first year at the gym, I had to bring a calculator with me to convert the weights from pounds to kilograms.”
Rael Williamson, a 3rd year BSc student, said conditions at the gym had been the same since he started using the facilities three years ago.There are currently no lockers for east campus gym members or proper training mats.
The renovations are in line with plans to make the east campus gym more user-friendly for its female members. The lightest weight at the gym at the moment is 10kg.
Henn said the renovation formed phase one of a two-phase plan to improve the campus gyms. The second phase involved renovating west campus gym. Catering mainly for female students, it has never had a treadmill or free weights.
A petition to have the gym renovated was signed by over 400 members last year.
Henn said a lack of funds had held up renovations. Students and staff pay an annual membership fee of R350. A total of 3 320 students are registered at both gyms.
“We plan the upgrade to start in the April vacation. Then another week, maybe towards the end of April, when the supplier will install the new equipment.”
During the closure, members must use the west campus gym. Notices about the planned renovations will be put up in March.
by Staff Reporter | May 12, 2011 | Featured 1, News
FUSI Mofokeng walked out of prison a few weeks ago into a new South Africa. After spending 19years in jail, for a crime he didn’t commit, he had many things to say as I sat down to talk with him onMonday.
One would think that Mofokeng, who lost almost two decades of his life, would be bitter. However, the face of this man only expressed peace and thoughtfulness.
Mofokeng spoke about his personal life and how his girlfriend Malita waited for him. Malita also voiced her own thoughts on his trial and what kept her going through the difficult time that they were apart.
“He always told me he was innocent. There was that hope. There were two things in my heart [at his release]; I was angry but I was more than happy when he came out.”
Prison conditions were one issue that Mofokeng confronted. “The biggest problem is gangsterism. You are not free [in prison], any bad thing can happen… It’s a terrible place to be at.”
By the time he was released he had moved through eight prisons in three different provinces. Mofokeng said he is a religious man and always believed in God and believed that one day he would be free because of his innocence. In all his experiences he had this piece of advice to give others in any similar situation – “Just keep the hope in you alive. Hope is the best remedy to survive.”
When asked about changes he has seen in the country he said: “The country has developed so much, new buildings and townships. It’s so big.”
He also commented on what he has been up to since his release. “[I have been] visiting places, friends and relatives… trying to re-establish communication I had within my old relationships.”
He is currently out on parole, a big step which the Wits Justice Project helped achieve for him and friend, Tshokolo Mokoena, who were accused of a murder in Bethlehem. The crime happened in a location which these two men were nowhere near at the time. Mofokeng plans to travel to different schools to tell the youth of the country about his story.
by Staff Reporter | May 12, 2011 | Featured 1, News
HUFFS AND PUFFS: Student goes out in a blaze of flavoured smoke
Herpes, heart disease and an early death are all but a puff of Hookah away according to the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS).
Wits University’s campuses have been plastered with posters warning students to stay away from hookahs -also known as “hubbly bubbly”- dubbing them as “deadly”. Non-government organisation NCAS began the campaign last year and has even used social media to reach students and spread the message against puffing on the flavoured tobacco water pipes.
Vuvuzela asked students whether the posters had shocked them into stopping or even reducing their smoking of hookah and many said they had noticed the posters but had made no changes to their smoking regime.
Athlete Karlos Bryan said: “I play basketball and smoking hookah has no negative effect on my performance on the court.”
Another hookah smoker, 2nd year Bcom student Imron “Imo” Seedat, is part of a group of students who indulge themselves on the library lawns. When asked about the health concerns raised on the NCAS posters he said: “We don’t care! We are going to die anyway, so whether we go with good lungs or bad lungs doesn’t matter.”
According to a group of students, health concerns are not a worry because there are “pipe laws” by which all hookah smokers must abide. The three main laws are that:
“Whoever makes the hookah, is first to smoke;
Whoever lights the coal is second to smoke;
And, most important, is that if you have sores on your lips, you don’t smoke.”
Head of campus Health and Wellness, Sister Yvonne Matimba, said if one of the smokers has herpes then all those smoking from the same pipe risk getting infected. The virus shows itself through sores on the mouth that look like cold sores, but the symptoms start long before the sore has developed. So, by the time other people notice their fellow smoker has a sore, they may have long been infected.
“The myth that hookah [smoking] is safer because it goes through a system of filtration has been scientifically disproved,” said Matimba
by Staff Reporter | May 10, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Senior lecturer Dr. Cuthbert Musingwini and Makete Thema Chairman of the Students Mining Engineering Society, handed the Mike Teke (centre) Optimum Coal CEO a certificate and token of appreciation for his support for students in the mining engineering field.
“If you run a mine, you have to be a responsible miner,” are the words that echoed to the hoards of mining engineering students in celebration of Mine Manager’s day on Friday, May 6.
The Student Mining Engineering Society (SMES) at Wits University hosted majority black-owned mining company Optimum Coal and handed an award to the CEO, Mike Teke, for the company’s active support of students in the mining field.
Students came out dressed in formal office wear, in the spirit of their ambitions to one day hold positions at mine managers-movers and shaker s in their engineering discipline. Students flocked to Starock park to listen to the renditions of the first hand experience of a man in who held a managerial position in the mining sector as many would like to see themselves.
“Today is about encouraging ourselves to make it to mine manager position, so we won’t be stuck in production but get to work in decision-making and planning positions,” said Maureen Phambane, 3rd year Mining Engineering.
The private sector should join forces with government bodies and tertiary institutions to develop the skills resource in South Africa. Safety and protection of the environment are primary concerns for Optimum Coal. In 2008, it created a water treatment plant that handles 15 million litres a day. The water treated at the plant is now sold to local communities, said Teke.
Makete Thema, chairman of the Student Mining Engineering Society organised the event and said, “We want to hear from the people who are already working in the field and celebrate Mine manager’s day because we believe it gives us the platform to think big and get inspired.
“In general, we got an expressive response as the venue was filled with students. I think we should do our best to encourage and invite people from the corporate sector because they have first-hand experience and vital information to relay to us.”
by Staff Reporter | Apr 15, 2011 | Featured 1, News
BRAAMFONTEIN commuters catching taxis on the corner of Jorissen Street and Jan Smuts Avenue are complaining that they are forced to wait in line to board the taxis.
Commuters are made to stand in queues by two men who will not allow them to get into a taxi without their permission, resulting in many of them arriving home late. Some allege they are being harassed by the queue marshals mainly when they have ‘jumped into’ a taxi without the marshals’ approval.
Lindiwe Nkutha, who works in Braamfontein and has taken taxis from the intersection for years, said: “What can we say? We are always arguing with these queue marshals because now we have to wait and get home around 7pm.
“They are rude and sometimes say, ‘Suka la wena sdudla!’(Get away from here fatty) and want to tell us where to sit in the taxi, but it’s my money that has to pay for the taxi ride.”
When approached, one of the queue marshals claimed they started this “system” last February and the reason was to control and ease the flow of traffic at the intersection.
According to the Johannesburg secretary of the South African Taxi Association, Mr Buthelezi, “The queue marshals have been hired by the relevant association – Faraday Taxi Association – to monitor and ensure that taxis from the different branches do not collect passengers at locations they are not permitted, because those are issues that cause conflict in the taxi industry.”
Asked if commuters had been informed of the appointing of queue marshals, he said if any commuters had complaints they should lodge them with the Faraday Taxi Association.
Taxi drivers at the intersection did not seem to have a problem picking up passengers because they sometimes pick up commuters who are not waiting in line, as before. Many of them were reluctant to comment when approached.
It seems the queue marshals and their marching orders are here to stay.
