by sthandiwe | Jul 28, 2011 | News
Two third year management students were caught for copying during their exam in June.
A person who spoke to Vuvuzela on condition of anonymity said a male student was found with his BlackBerry phone on his lap, with the management notes saved on excel. The same student allegedly had a similar case in his first year.
The second male student was caught by an invigilator with squashed paper(s) of management notes on his desk, after about 30 minutes into the exam. Management course co-ordinator, Chris Gallaghan, said he can only speak more about the matter after the hearing.
“We spend so much time developing [students], it’s like our life… if [only] there was a way for people to sort of develop ethics, values,” Gallaghan said.
Gallaghan said he gives his students massive developmental support, spending his extra time conducting voluntary tutorials. “My door is always open to them.”
Gallaghan said one must keep an open mind about the matter as, at this moment, they are alleged to have been copying.
The legal office is handling the matter as the management department doesn’t have the power to do so.
The legal office said they are not allowed to give any information to the media regarding this matter. It is still processing the case and will give judgment.
by sthandiwe | Jul 28, 2011 | Featured 1, News
A campus library van overturned after climbing two stairs and hitting garden rocks when the driver lost control of the vehicle on Monday morning.
The driver of the Waternweiler library van that overturned near Old Mutual Sports Hall survived with minor injuries. Mailing assistant Brian Sithole suffered minor injuries to his right shoulder and had a bleeding middle finger on his left hand. He didn’t see the need to go to hospital.
Sithole, was undergoing training for the route with college and trainee library admin assistant, Themba Shabalala. Shabalala was unhurt. The van overturned on the driver’s side when Sithole panicked while rolling down a steep hill towards a boom gate.
Shabalala said the driver pushed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and lost control of the van.
“I couldn’t turn the steering wheel, it locked itself,” Sithole said.
Sithole said he was confused and a little bit shocked after the van overturned. The two library drivers were doing their daily routine from Cullen Library to Engineering Library. They were rescued by two garden services staff members, who pulled them from the passenger door.
by sthandiwe | May 27, 2011 | Sport
The Wits sports’s website encourages students and staff who want to “engage in sport on a recreational or competitive level” to register for a sport club of their choice, but not all sport codes cater to the needs of the students.
Male netball players complain that their skills are not catered for.
Aubrey Mapoulo, 3rd year BAcc, says when he came to wits in 2007, he wanted to sign up for the netball club but after they told him to write his name and number down, he never heard from them.
Mapoulo who also coches and plays for David Webster residence, says his hopes were “to be affiliated with a club in Gauteng” through Wits netball club as he played for the provincial league in Limpopo.
Wits Netball sport officer, Lydia Monyepao, says she is looking at the possibilities of having a male netball team next year.
The challenge this year was that there were about 7 guys who wanted to subscribe and if they could have made a league of about 15/20 people then we could have registered a team, says Monyepao.
3rd year BA student, Olwethu Twalo, who has 15 years experience in netball and obtained his provincial colours in high school expected to be one of the leading male players for Wits netball.
In 2009, while shooting some hoops with his friend in hopes of being recognised by the then coach, they were asked to step off of the court by a man named John. He believes that John was the coach at that time.
Male netball players are allowed to participate internally, in residences, it meant Twalo’s only choice was playing for a residence in 2009. He joined the Esselen residence netball team which was mixed.
Playing with girls doesn’t challenge his skills because guys are fast, says Mapoulo.
Twalo says, “Some girls at JCE had a problem with us, male players, because we were male and good.”
“Netball is perceived as a female and gay
sport,” says Mapoulo. Some guys who play volleyball have approached him, wanting to start a netball team for guys because they too can play netball.
by sthandiwe | May 19, 2011 | News, Sport
South Africa will stage the world’s richest and biggest golfing tournament in professional golf next year.
The major golfing championship called tournament of hope will be used to create awareness for HIV/Aids and poverty in Africa.
Sunshine Tour commissioner Gareth Tindall said at a news conference last week that “we’re hoping there will be other events around the world at the same time, with World Aids Day on December 1 linked to the same theme.
“We want to use this golf tournament as a catalyst.”
The prize money for the tournament is US$10-million (R69.7-million), making it the richest tournament worldwide.
“The awarding of this WGC [World Golf Championship] event shows the rest of the world believes we have good stock and a good product here in South Africa,” Tindall said.
The event will be hosted from 2012 to 2016. “That has enormously positive implications for the game and for our country as a whole,” said Tindall.
Head professional of Wits Golf Academy, Greg Smith, said: “It is early days to understand the full impact of this World Golf event.
“It is not yet absolutely definite, although talk is that the deal has been signed for five years.”
The event is expected to draw the world’s top 70 golfers.
The precise date and venue for the tournament have yet to be decided.
by sthandiwe | May 12, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Wits BSC chemical engineering honours student, Lesley Masibi has learnt so much from being involved in many organisations on campus. Photo: courtesy urban brew
Lesley Masibi was crowned South Africa’s One Day Leader in a reality television show on Tuesday.
“As extremely excited as I am, I’m trying to kind of put my head around it, [but the feeling] is amazing,” the 23-year-old says.
One Day Leader started airing on SABC1 on February 22. The show sought to find the best young leader who will be given the opportunity to effect change in a position of leadership.
Out of 3 000 applicants, six finalists were chosen to debate social, economic and political issues in the country on national television.
“I dream of a South Africa that will be governed by the rule of law and respect [for] that law,” Masibi says. “My purpose is to empower and encourage young people to take responsibility for their lives.”
The winner’s prize includes a one-year internship in the offices of the National Youth Development Agency and three days shadowing the president.
Masibi’s proposal includes “streamlining government programmes towards youth development [that will] reach as many young people as possible”.
What is important for Masibi is providing support to young aspiring entrepreneurs. “If we have any chance of winning the unemployment war, we need to encourage a culture of entrepreneurialism.
“We also are looking at the idea of [a] youth parliament.”
The prize also includes a R70 000 budget to spend on a project in a community of Masibi’s choice. His personal prize money of R20 000 “will most likely go towards my two-week visit to a South African embassy”.
For Masibi, the best part about the show is the legacy left in Dieplsoot by building a sports field “that will be developed into a fully resourced sporting field for various sporting codes”.
“Passionate individuals would not risk betraying their purpose and mandate. Respect and love for the people you lead is of utmost importance. You must want to improve people’s lives and leave them better than you found them.”
by sthandiwe | May 11, 2011 | News
Amanda Ballen receives a silver Proxime Accessit medal awarded by Tawana Kupe for having the most distinguished record in the degree of bachelor.
The Faculty of Humanities celebrated intellectual achievement and academic excellence in true style and elegance last month.
Laura Catherine Byrne who received a Faculty medal for having the most distinguished record in the degree of Bachelor of Arts says since first year, it was important for her to keep her high record.
Laura Byrne: receiving her gold medal from the faculty of humanities for her most distinguished record in the degree of Bachelor.
“This is not easy at university level, as there is a lot of work at the last minute but what carries me through is loving what I do.”
The word passion was uttered by most prize winners. Alexander Richards, who received an award for outstanding practical work in Fine Arts and for the finest independent art work produced in his 4th year says, “When I started enjoying what I do, I did well.”
Richards says his performance started improving in his 3rd year as he stopped partying and devoted his creativity and time in his studies. He says it’s crucial for one to start nurturing their marks at 3rd year and 4th year level.
Some arts students can’t balance practical work and theory because it bores them but Arts students must strike a balance,” says Richards.
“Wits is theory based, it produces intelligent performers, who are able to critically analyse shows, engage in representation and cultural myths,” says Arthur Zitha, who was awarded for being the best student proceeding to forth year.
Robert Freeman and Irene Pampallis were jointly awarded for being the best third-year student in Philosophy. They decided for an ancient Greek inspired look .“We were studying so hard we missed the fall of the Roman Empire.”
Freeman and Pampallis show off their ancient Greek inspired look.
Mrs Mokoele says she is honoured to have an achiever like her daughter, Duduetsang Mokoele, who took an award for undergraduate student with the best overall marks in African Political Studies.
“It’s an affirmation that I did something good with her. She’s a high flyer and motivates me as a parent.” Mrs Mokoele also thanked Wits for the Way her daughter has turned out.
by sthandiwe | Apr 15, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Muslim women in France are banned from wearing a full-face veil in public from this week.
On Monday, April 11, a new law passed by the French government came into effect, banning Muslim women from wearing a niqab in public. A niqab is a full-face Muslim veil, while a scarf that covers a woman’s hair is called a hijab.
The Muslim Student Association’s (MSA) Zaakim Mayed, who is in charge of the prayer room (musallah), says Muslims believe in the concept of “ummah” – we are all family and we must protect one another, wherever we are.
They are planning a campaign against Islamic phobia on campus – to issue a statement, put up posters and raise awareness.
Mayed says the French state is infringing on human rights by intervening in the dress code of a minority of 2000 people who wear a niqab and choosing what they must wear.
A few Wits Muslim students say Muslims in France must fight against the law, suggesting “a passive protest, such as deciding to wear a scarf on a specific day”.
Physics PhD student, Badr Mohammed, says, “Follow the country’s rules and do not challenge that, if there’s only wine to drink, you drink it.”
Offenders will be fined €150 (about R1 400) if they are found to be in contradiction of the new law that any woman who steps out of the house wearing a veil will be fined.
The South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to freedom of religious conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
Naaf-rah Mohammed, a 2nd year BSc student, says the French law infringes on people’s religious rights. “Wearing a niqab, it’s not compulsory but a choice made. It’s rewarding as it increases your stage in heaven.”
Second year BA student Ruqayyah Zardad says it’s not about shutting women up; people make wrong interpretations because they judge at face value.
“It’s God’s rules, [he] tells you to cover your beauty as it elevates a woman’s status and protects their chastity and modesty.”
Zardad decided by herself to wear a niqab in Grade 10. She said she started understanding the values associated with it, “It spoke to me, and I saw beauty in covering myself.”
Muslim students say it’s not easy to wear a burka (full covering) because there is a social stigma attached to it and people are sometimes afraid of you.
by sthandiwe | Apr 8, 2011 | Featured 1
QPiTSM is hitting the hip-hop music scene with his second mix-tape released on April Fool’s day.
The second mix-tape is to be formally launched on April 30 in Germiston. It follows on the success of the first one which was played on Yfm’s Hip-Hop 99 and saw QPiTSM (Mawabo Msingaphantsi) perform as a guest in the 2010 ARC Talent Show and the Wits beer garden and at Bassline this year.
QPiTSM’s sound has a Dr Dre /G-Unit influence and a South African feel with its use of African lyrics.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: QPiTSM, rapper music producer and beatmaker. Photo: Courtesy Potsiso Phasha
“I make fun music that people love to bump their heads to. I try to keep the lyrics catchy and when I use vernacular I make sure that it is big and unusual words which gives my music a unique (almost exotic) appeal,” he says.
He says people relate to hip-hop because it’s about telling the story of the underdog. He tells his story through his lyrics which are drawn from his “situation of deprivation”.
“The hunger for material wealth portrayed in my lyrics comes from my experience as the son of a single parent, being a township boy and becoming a Wits graduate. It’s not about self-pity but about celebrating my material wealth now because it shows how far I’ve come.”
Msingaphantsi plans to pursue music along with a professional job. “I want to have success that is not defined in one dimension – for example, people like Tokyo Sexwale.”
He started making music in the CNS computer lab during his first year, where he installed the programme Fruity Loops on his USB and started producing the first mix-tap. Now he has the equipment and sound in his room.
The sales from his first mix-tape came mostly in Knockando and the money accumulated was used to produce the second mix-tape.
QPiTSM says making music at home and focusing on education at school is how he has balanced his two passions. “I hardly ever sleep.”
by sthandiwe | Apr 8, 2011 | Featured 1
The Wits Choir is pulling out all the stops to perform in a prestigious international Festival 500: Sharing the Voices, in July this year in Canada.
FLYING HIGH: Wits Choir are hoping to perform in Canada later this year. Photo: Courtesy Nicolie Smuts
Festival 500 is a celebrated festival of choral music taking place in North America’ s oldest city, St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Wits Choir was invited to attend this prestigious non-competitive festival after their successful application in 2008, but because of lack of funding they could not do so.
“Since the middle of last year [we have] been persistent in our fundraising drive and have seen outstanding contribution from our supporters,” says Rashid.
One of the recent fundraising strategic events was Wits Choir Tea on Saturday, 2nd of April, at Bozzoli Sports Pavilion. The event was fully packed with over 300 people.
The university showed its pride as it surprised the choir when the Dean of Students, Prem Coopoo, made a donation.
The food was voluntarily sponsored as each table was catered and hosted by one of the choir’s family, says the choir’s communications officer Kevin Walker.
As the only African choir this year, the Wits Choir aims to emit general African and South African diversity and culture. The festival includes choirs from literally all over the world coming together and sharing their music.
The choir is confident that their diversity will leave a mark as their African identity is maintained through “the music we sing, how we act and by the choir uniforms we wear,” says Abas Rashid, head of performances and transportation.
“Wits Choir sings in over 15 African languages; we have a diverse group of people from diverse backgrounds, including Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Malawians and Swazis, and our latest uniforms are drawn from Venda-inspired patterns,” adds Rashid.
On June 9 and 10 a Wits Choir Invites concert will be held, where they will collaborate with some high-profile artists and some outstanding guest choirs in the Great Hall.
Rashid says their experience “will be a pioneering adventure for us as a group of individuals representing our country and varsity through our passion for music.”
by sthandiwe | Apr 8, 2011 | News
With few employment opportunities, media studies graduates say their degree is not paying off.
Media studies graduate Mthobisi Nhlabathi says it has been two year after his honours and he is still searching for a job in his field.
He is not the only one who is struggling to find a job. A media studies graduate who spoke to Vuvuzela on condition of anonymity says a lot of jobs want one or two years experience, your own transport and require you to know a foreign language.
Nhlabathi says, “While doing my honours a media company said I was over qualified without experience. They couldn’t employ me because I would demand lots of money and they would have to train me from scratch.
“I emailed the dean of humanities, Tawana Kupe, early this year asking him to help me find a job as he was likely to have connections.”
Kupe responded by saying he could not help him as he did not have a PHD.
“The media department doesn’t care at all; when you are in your third year they come and sway you into doing honours. They just want to fill their department with numbers,” says Nhlabathi.
Media studies head Sarah Chiumbu says, “It’s not our duty to find students jobs.” She says it is ideal for the department to have a close relationship with the industry for them to know what we do.
“It should be borne in mind that we are a small department, with 5 people and we have a lot on our plate.”
She further says media studies is “a field not a discipline, our students are able to work without experience in research, policy and legal departments”.
4th year media studies student Jones Matlakala, who is building his own research company, says, “Qualification is not an automatic entrance to a professional job, we still have to hassle and exercise patience.
“We have to focus on building a career and not on the money, I know it’s challenging because some industries are paying a lot.”
by sthandiwe | Apr 4, 2011 | News
With low employment opportunities, media studies graduates say their degree is not paying off.
Media studies graduate Mthobisi Nhlabathi, says it has been two year after his honours in media studies and he is still searching for a job that is relevant.
He is not the only one who is struggling to find a job. A media studies graduate who spoke to Vuvuzela on condition of anonymity says a lot of jobs want one or two years experience, own transport and want you to have a foreign language.
Nhlabathi says, “While doing my honours a media company said I was over qualified without experience, they couldn’t employ me because I will demand lots of money and they will have to train me from scratch.”
“I emailed the Dean of Humanities, Tawana Kupe, early this year, asking him to help me find a job, since he was likely to have connections,” he said he cannot help her since she don’t hold a PHD, the media studies student further told Vuvuzela.
“The media department doesn’t care at all; when you are in your third year they come and sway you into doing honours. They just want to fill their department with numbers,” says Nhlabathi.
Head of media studies department, Sarah Chiumbu says, “It’s not our duty to find students jobs.” She says it is ideal for the department to have a close relationship with the industry for them to know what we do.
“It should be borne in mind that we are a small department, with 5 people and we have a lot on our plate.”
She further says media studies is a field not a discipline, our students are able to work without experience in research, policy and legal departments.
4th year media studies student, Jones Matlakala who is building his own research company says, “Qualification is not an automatic entrance to a professional job, we still have to hassle and exercise patience.
“If we can focus on building a career and not focus on money, I know it’s challenging because some industries are paying a lot.”
by sthandiwe | Mar 24, 2011 | News
Peak hour proves to be a hustle for wits bus commuters. Photo: Sthandiwe Mchunu
The ‘No Overload’ sign on Luxliner buses has no meaning during peak hours when large numbers of students wait for the circuit bus.
Luxliner bus drivers complained last year about the overloading in buses as it does not comply with the certificate of fitness which orders that no passengers stand on buses.
The ‘No Overload’ sign was a response by Wits management to the drivers’ complaints. It was implemented to reduce the high number of students who find themselves standing in the overcrowded buses.
Bus drivers said that students who overload the bus sit on the dashboard and the engine cover. In a situation where they have to brake suddenly this could lead to them falling over or backwards into the windscreen as there are no supports. They also said overloading is dangerous as the extra weight on the bus changes its braking capabilities.
“In case of an accident I will be the one to blame as the traffic cops will find me responsible for the overload,” said a bus driver.
Drivers said they find it difficult to leave students behind as they sympathise with them being late for class. Although they have complained to Wits about the lack of buses to make more trips, the situation has not been rectified.
Bongani Jacobs, SRC media and publicity officer, said the overloading can be solved if students wait for buses allocated to their residences, especially the JCE education campus buses.
Kreneshan Gopal, a PDM masters in public policy student, said the situation was ridiculous as during peak hours a high number of students struggle to get into the bus. “For me, being a big size, I have an advantage to get a [seat] because I push my way in.”
