by Tanisha Heiberg | Aug 21, 2015 | Lifestyle
Photo: http://www.ibtimes.com
Starring: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell
Directed By: Josh Trank
Vuvu Rating: 4/10
Unlike the characters in the film there was no one to save Fantastic Four from its own doom.
Fantastic Four centres around genius Reed Richards (Miles Teller ) who is awarded a scholarship to the Baxter Foundation to help Dr. Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey), and his adopted daughter Sue (Kate Mara), create a teleportation device to send people to another universe. The team acquires help in the form of troubled pupil Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebell) and Johnny Storm (Michael B. Jordan). Richards’s long-time friend Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) also joins the team, who are genetically altered after an accident. This results in them developing irreversible superpowers. Now it’s up to these newly created heroes to defeat their arch-enemy Doom.
It was clobbering time in the box office for Marvel’s latest reboot of the Fantastic Four, earning a dismal $26.2 million on opening weekend. It’s not hard to see why, recreating of Marvel’s longest running superhero team, has produced a mediocre and bland film.
From the beginning the film exhibits an unimpressive plot that falls short of its previous incarnation, which had a successful initial film plus a sequel, in 2005 and 2007. The dull plot lacks the humour of Guardians of the Galaxy and the action-packed sequences in The Avengers that could have saved it. The narrative lacks a clear direction and lacks a build-up to the final climatic battle, which in itself is a letdown.
Despite an assemblage of Hollywood’s young talent the actors seem apathetic and lack chemistry between the onscreen relationships. This is no surprise with rumours circulating of friction on set between the cast and director Josh Trank. The supposedly lifelong friendship between Reed and Ben is left largely undeveloped in their adult relationship while the total group dynamic, that is evident in the comic books, is ignored with some characters barely having dialogue.
There is also very little interplay and relationship between the four characters as a whole. In some cases the characters have barely any dialogue between them allowing very little time for the audience to get to know them.
The depiction of how the characters got their powers was an innovative and interesting explanation. However the emotional impact of their accident is not fully explored particularly with Ben, who has been transformed into an inhuman stone monster, which we have seen in the previous films.
The graphics are at time underwhelming with much of the film looking like it was shot in a studio.
The boredom sets in within the first few minutes in the film and maintains a low energy and enthusiasm throughout until it finally flat lines with the very short and disappointing final battle.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Aug 12, 2015 | Featured 1, News
Fueling stations across Gauteng continue to run dry after a Durban refinery closed for planned maintenance. Photo: Wiki Commons
Fuel shortages will continue at petrol stations across Gauteng due to a Durban refinery shutting down one of its plants for scheduled maintenance.
The CEO of the Fuel Retailers Association, Reggie Sibiya, told News24 that BP stations are the worst affected, by the shutting of the Enref plant.
The rest of the country including, KwaZulu-Natal, will however remain unaffected.
“We’ll still have about another week of this shortage,” Sibiya told television channel Enca.
According to The Star the affected products include ULP 93, ULP 95 and diesel. He also added that more than a 100 service stations across the country are running dry of one or more of the products.
“I know of two BP service stations that have not received product since Thursday [last week] and are 100 percent dry on all products from yesterday,” Sibiya told the newspaper.
The Star reported that on top of the Enref shut down in Durban, there were also disruptions to production at the South African Petroleum Refineries (Sapref). This has also contributed to the fuel shortage in the province.
The director of the South African Petroleum industry Association, Avhapfani Tshifularo, told The Star that the closure of the refinery was not a surprise and that interventions have been put in place to manage the situation.
The Enref plant is the second largest refinery in South Africa that produces automotive, industrial, aviation and marine fuels as well as a range of chemicals and solvents.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Aug 12, 2015 | News
Tanisha Heiberg
Brenna Weaver, Robert Jaich, Magali De La Kethulle, Graeme Moore, Katherine Klaasen, Greg Douglas, Wesley Verhoogt, Heliodora De Lima, Stephan Maritz, Kanika Sinha, Nadia Ann Marengo, Bodhisatya Chakraborty, and Matthew Grant (from left) who formed part of a team of 17 students who climbed Kilimanjaro in 2014 to raise funds for the Smile Foundation. Photo: Provided
Smiling and laughing will no longer be a mountain to climb for two children suffering from facial paralysis. An eight and six year old child received life changing reconstructive surgery after Wits medical students summit-ed their own mountain of fears to raise funds.
A group of 17 medical students from the Wits Surgical Society raised over R600 000 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and taking part in the 2014 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. The money they raised allowed them to assist the children who suffered from a rare nerve condition called Moebius Syndrome that causes facial paralysis. Facial paralysis can have negative developmental and psychological effects on young children suffering from the disorder.
“It is so hard to relate to someone without facial expressions…it really does change their lives”
Stephanie van Straten, President of the Wits Students Surgical Society explained the importance of the procedure is due to the public sector not prioritizing it because it is very expensive and highly specialized. “It is so hard to relate to someone without facial expressions…it really does change their lives.” The initiative to face their fears and summit the mountain came from 5th year student Graeme Moore in association with the non-governmental, Smile Foundation. “These children have to face their fears undergoing an operation…which must be a really scary thing to do especially when you’re a small child… we hoped to overcome our biggest fear”, said Stephanie
The student’s hard work finally paid off at the end of last month when both children received the surgery to help restore movement to their face and ultimately allow them to express their emotions.
Stephanie highlighted the importance of doing the procedure in young children, who have the ability to recover faster and learn how to smile. “They take the muscle from your leg and they transplant it to your cheek…initially to smile, the child will need to grit their teeth but over time it will become more spontaneous…the older (patient) you are the less likely that the smile will be spontaneous”
Through the fundraising they are also able to renovate the pediatric ward at the General hospital to make it a more child friendly. “We are hoping to make it Kilimanjaro themed… a hospital is often very scary for children, the less intimidating the better for their healing.”
This won’t be the last initiative for the Surgical Society whose focus is on furthering education, participating in outreach programs and providing workshops to develop skills. Plans are already in place to take part in this year’s 94.7 Cycle Challenge with all students welcome to join their team.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Aug 11, 2015 | Lifestyle, News, Opinion
Tanisha Heiberg
Stock Images
Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Peña
Directed By: Peyton Reed
Vuvu Rating: 8/10
When you think of a Marvel superhero movie, a suit that shrinks a man to ant size isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But then you would be wrong. This “ant sized” film with its understated style packs a superhero sized punch to follow in the footsteps, and sometimes surpass its big budget high action predecessors.
The film follows recently released ex con Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) who committed a Robin-hood like heist. Lang has lost touch with his daughter and cannot see her because of his inability to financially support her. After failed job attempts Lang is pushed to return to a life of crime where he meets the innovative and solitary scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), who has one last job for him. Pym wants him to steal his old prodigy and villain, Darren Cross’s (Corey Stoll), size-changing prototype dubbed the Yellowjacket in order to save the world. Using the newly acquired Ant-Man suite that allows him to shrink and to hone his ant-like senses, Lang sets out to win back not only the Yellowjacket suit but the respect of his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson).
The film is humorous and understated. This creates a fresh spin on the traditional spectacle based superhero adventures that we are accustomed to like Avengers: Age of Ultron. Ant-Man manages to change every day spaces into hyperreal action scenes that give the audience a jolt from the expected superhero genre.
The film doesn’t take itself too seriously and pokes fun at the unconventional concept with the hero not training in a hi-tech lab or fighting his nemesis in a spectacular fight scene with collapsing buildings and burning cars like we would expect. Instead he trains in his mentors back garden and his great battle with the villain takes place in his seven-year old daughter’s bedroom with Thomas the Tank Engine making a special appearance.
The storyline does however often struggle to justify each and every action scene. Even stranger is the inconsistent relationship that the movie makers have created between Lang and his estranged wife. His ex-wife is cast to have an amicable and even friendly relationship with Lang yet is stone hearted when it comes to granting Lang any access to their daughter, Cassie. The choice of Lang as the perfect person for the heist also seems unlikely as he had only performed one previous crime in his life and doesn’t embody the characteristic of the traditional hero. The heists are nevertheless still slick and expertly planned.
Despite its differences from the Marvel traditional movies it still has references to Shield and the Avengers sprinkled throughout the plot to tie it into the comic book film franchise.
Paul Rudd plays a charming human super hero and brings his easy going wit effortlessly into the character. To add to the comedy of Rudd’s natural style, is Lang’s criminal gang with Luis (Michael Peña ) bringing a goofy spin that shows another side to his comic abilities. Michael Douglas’ performance is good and along with his daughter, Hope (Evangeline Lily). Rounding up a cohesive group of characters that interact well. Corey Stoll however lacks the necessary presence to make a convincing portrayal of a villain. An endearing and unexpected character is also created in an ant affectionately known as Anthony.
If its big budget action packed with a large cast that you’re looking for then this isn’t necessarily for you. That said, Ant-Man still took 130 Million Dollars to produce (less than half of what the cost for Avengers). The film surprisingly stands up to its bigger counterparts in its unique smaller scale. All in all the plot theme of the smaller the better echoes the sentiment of the film as a whole.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Jul 24, 2015 | News
Wits athletes excelled in the 2015 USSA tournament in various sport codes
Wits rugby team competing in the 2015 inter-varsity tournament organised by University Sports South Africa (USSA). Photo: Provided
While most students were on the midyear break, Wits athletes were competing in the 2015 inter-varsity tournament organised by University Sports South Africa (USSA).
Wits excelled both on the court and on the field in seven different codes including basketball, hockey, rugby, netball, badminton, squash and gymnastics.
The Wits women’s teams were some of the top achievers in netball, basketball and hockey.
The Wits hockey girls, coached by former South African women’s team striker Pietie Coetzee-Turner, beat out the other universities including the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in the final where they won 3-0. This secured them a promotion to the A section of next year’s tournament where they will face tough competitors including Stellenbosch University.
The men’s hockey side didn’t fare as well, when they lost their vital 3rd game of the tournament to Nelson Mandela Municipality University (NMMU) 9-1, and could no longer reach the play-offs. This also means that the men’s Hockey team may not make the cut-off for next year’s Varsity Hockey series.
The Wits Netball team made a great comeback and won the B section of the USSA’s. They went on to beat three teams during the round robin section. Attempting to regain their winning streak they went on to beat Durban University of Technology (DUT), but unfortunately lost in the following match to Central University of Technology (CUT Bloemfontein).
Wits women’s Basketball team had to defend the gold they won at the University of Pretoria in last year’s tournament. But Vaal University of Technology (VUT), proved to be their undoing, losing 58-65 and giving them the Silver position.
The men’s basketball team beat UKZN 75-41 but were the recipients of a debated forfeiture ruling after allegedly arriving late for a game. This resulted in them ending the tournament in 9th place.
It wasn’t just the ladies that performed during the winter USSA program, with the Wits Rugby team finishing in 5th position after facing old rivals UKZN and University of Western Cape (UWC) on the sports field.
Although Wits lost during their opening game, they regrouped to defeat UKZN 54-0. This turned out to be a grudge match after Wits was beaten by UKZN in the Varsity Shield final in April. In their final game, Wits finally beat UWC 32-7.
2015 was one of the best USSA’s as far as Wits rugby XV, according to Wits Rugby manager Al Leonard.
In gymnastics the Wits team placed third overall and came home with great results including 12 medals. Among them are Ruan Prestorius who placed first in the novice mini-trampoline while Vhuwavho Matibe brought home the gold in the level 2 rhythmic section.
On the badminton court Witsies Matthew Michel and Tashlin Hamid excelled and were selected for the national squad, while the team placed 5th overall in the A section.
Witsies not only took part in the USSA’s but also played host to the Squash programme where they claimed four victories. But unfortunately came up short against heavyweights, NMMU, UJ, and UCT.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Jun 23, 2015 | Opinion
Photo: Universal Pictures
Directed By: Colin Trevorrow
Vuvu Rating: 8/10
If you’re a fan of the original Jurassic Park films or you just want to see some unsuspecting humans get eaten by ferocious and freakily intelligent dinosaurs, then you won’t be disappointed with this latest iteration of the franchise.
Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow, shows the new and improved park featured in the previous films that has now a major tourist attraction including petting zoo, dinosaur rides and luxury hotels. Having learnt absolutely nothing from the previous experiences or movies, the powers-that-be create a bigger and “better” hybrid test tube dinosaur to attract more visitors.
The plot is predictable and the new breed of dinosaur has a murderous appetite. Park operations manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) enlists the help of velociraptor trainer and ex-navy employee, Owen (Chris Pratt) to find her missing nephews Zach (Nick Robinson), and Gray (Ty Simpkins), who are lost in the park while the killer dinosaur is on the loose.
The scaly situation plays out in the typical style of its predecessors complete with similar shots, plot line, cliché romantic tension, and the iconic Spielbergesque sound track.
This new installment features numerous holes in the plot and little character development. Occassional humorous quips lighten the often stereotypical character portrayals but the human villains are unconvincing and flimsy with the plot failing to explore the world of the park before the chaos breaks out.
Nevertheless fans of the original movies will be thrilled to continue along this dino-journey with the velociraptor once again taking center stage and proving that size isn’t everything. What counts is the amount of teeth.
Much like the theme park itself the main focus of the film is the dinosaurs with the rest of the film acting as a platform to showcase them through impressive CGI and animatronics.
With action packed sequences, the heroes finding ways to avoid razor -sharp teeth and claws, and terrified bystanders being mauled, thrown and eaten by the gigantic dinosaurs, you are guaranteed to be nervously munching on your popcorn.
If judged as a visually-based adventure fantasy, the movie will ensure an earth -thumping and teeth-gnashing walk down memory lane that you would expect from a Jurassic sequel.
by Tanisha Heiberg | May 29, 2015 | Featured 1, News
Wits University has reached an agreement with protesters, including Wits Workers Solidarity and MJL Electrical workers, before a court interdict was issued to have them forcibly removed from the offices of the Wits Vice Chancellor Prof Adam Habib.
File Photo
Protesters occupying the offices next to vice chancellor, Prof Adam Habib have reached an agreement with Wits University after previously being denied their demands that outsourced MJL workers be absorbed by another contractor.
The MJL electrical workers were left jobless after the private company was closed, following allegations that the workers were not paid by the company. According to a university statement the MJL workers were subsequently paid by Wits out of the monies owed to MJL Electrical.
The university previously made a statement where it acknowledged that the MJL workers were treated unfairly by the contractor.
“MJL workers have been treated badly by their boss. Wits does sympathize. But we cannot employ the workers,” the university said in an earlier statement.
According to the university spokesperson, Shirona Patel, Habib said during the protest that Wits could not absorb the MJL workers into the university.
The statement also added that Wits management would not meet with the student protestors, “Wits Management is open to meeting directly with the workers themselves or their recognised unions but the university will not negotiate with the Wits EFF, student groups or other informal bodies on this matter.”
However the protesters have reached an agreement with deputy vice-chancellor Prof Tawana Kupe, today and voluntarily left the premises just before lunch. This comes after the university began proceedings to obtain a court interdict to have the students from Wits Workers Solidarity Committee and MJL workers removed from the premises, which they have been occupying since Wednesday.
Koketso Toho, a protestor and member of Wits Workers Solidarity, said “We got the university to take responsibility to attend and negotiate with current vendors which enjoy the same status as MJL to employ the current number of workers.”
“They will try to communicate with us and we will take it from there what action we will take.”
In the university’s statement responding to the demand to employ the workers, it explained the negative affect insourcing, hiring the workers directly by Wits, would have on the university by setting a precedent, ” Those who advocate insourcing do not realize that it would require an extra 15% increase in student fees otherwise Wits quality will decline … This would destroy Wits. Where would future students go?”
Toho however believes the university will try to improve the number of outsourced vendors it uses, “We will try and negotiate for the general outsourcing to stop which the university has committed itself to try and stop … even though it might be a lengthy process.”
He added, “They [Wits University] will try to communicate with us and we will take it from there what action we will take.”
by Tanisha Heiberg | May 28, 2015 | Featured 1, News
Students and dismissed electrical workers have occupied the offices of the Wits vice chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, since yesterday, The university has indicated that it will be seeking a court interdict to have the protesters removed.
LOCKED OUT: Two students were locked out of Professor Adam Habib’s offices yesterday while protesters occupied the space demanding that the dismissed MJL electrical workers be absorbed into a new company now contracted by Wits. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
Wits University says it will seek a court order to remove the protesters currently occupying the office of the vice chancellor, Professor Adam Habib. Around 20 protesters occupied the office on the 11th floor of Senate House on East Campus, around lunch time yesterday, and were given the option to move to another site by 6pm last night. After failing to move, the university declared it’s intention, via a tweet, to seek legal recourse.
The protesters, including members of Wits Workers’ Solidarity, and MJL electrical workers are apparently still in the office this morning which has been closed by Campus Control.
The protest comes after a protracted dispute with Wits management over the fate of the electrical workers who were left jobless after the university ended its contract with their company, MJL Electrical. Last month, the group sent a letter to the vice chancellor blaming the university for not doing enough to help them. The workers have been in a salary dispute with the owner of the company, George Cresswold since early this year.
Yesterday, two students attempting to join the protest were locked out of the offices and staged their own sit-in in the lobby. A student and member of Wits Workers’ Solidarity, Mpho Massuku said, “They are not allowing us to come inside … Habib only allowed five people to go in and we are not part of them”.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Advancement and Transformation), Professor Tawana Kupe and members of the Academic Freedom Committee were seen inside the offices.
Professor Beatrys Lacquet, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Information, Knowledge and Infrastructure Management), said, “The university has to continue with business as usual and we are dealing with the matter in due process”.
by Tanisha Heiberg | May 14, 2015 | Featured 1, News
Newly elected DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, addresses criticisms on student issues and politics.
![Mmusi Maimane speaking at an event. Photograph: Stock images by The Democratic Alliance [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://witsvuvuzela.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mmusi_Maimane_Speaking1-600x400.jpg)
Mmusi Maimane speaking at an event. Photograph: Stock images by The Democratic Alliance [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
New Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader Mmusi Maimane spoke to Wits Vuvuzela this week after his election as party leader.
Maimane said that he is passionate about the youth and the issues that affect them, with focus on issues such as funding for students.
“My passion is for the youth,” he said.
As a former Witsie, Maimane described his experiences at the university and said his problems were typical.
“Like all students I struggled with the same issues such as tuition… but I found it a great experience.”
“Historically, Wits University has always been at the forefront of freedom of expression and always active in protests,” Maimane said
He also had high praise for Vice Chancellor Adam Habib: “I celebrate Adam Habib and the way he solves leadership problems.”
Maimane added that the DA was growing on campuses, citing the DA Student Organisation’s SRC victory at Fort Hare University.
“We are the dominant SRC at Fort Hare, the university where Nelson Mandela went as well as many others,” he said.
It is not only fundamentally racist but it is also what Steve Biko warned against…that in fact the powerful weapon of the oppression is the mind-set of the oppressed.
However, when asked about students politics at Wits he said: “A lot more can be done.”
In an interview with VowFM, earlier this week, Maimane addressed some of the issues he has been critised for including being a black ‘puppet’ for a white party. This comes after he was elected as the first black leader of the DA with some calling it a strategic move for the party.
“It is not only fundamentally racist but it is also what Steve Biko warned against…that in fact the powerful weapon of the oppression is the mind-set of the oppressed.”
He also answered questions regarding the DA’s position on affirmative action and the party being accused of not being fully committed to addressing race inequalities. “The long term destination of South Africa is to build diverse work places…We support triple ‘B’ [black, broad-based] and double ‘E’ [employment equity] but we don’t want to do it like the ANC wants to do it.”
In the radio interview he spoke about youth unemployment “We need a growing economy for young people. We need to ensure micro-enterprise is brought forward for young people.”
Maimane also answered questions about whether the youth wage subsidy is an adequate response to youth unemployment in the country.
“The project of making sure that young people are getting into the economic stream is a project that must involve multiple dynamics, with one of them being the youth wage subsidy. These issues are multi-faceted and require multiple prongs to address youth unemployment.”
On a lighter note, Wits Vuvuzela asked Maimane what his nicknames were. He told us that his wife, Natalie, calls him “my love”.
by Tanisha Heiberg | Apr 29, 2015 | Featured 1, News
SRC president, Mcebo Dlamini, on Wits Campus outside the Great Hall. Photos: Stock Images
The full statement is reproduced below:
“The SRC President’s comments were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the views of the Council.
The Wits Student Representative Council notes that the Facebook account of our President Mcebo Freedom Dlamini has been under fire for personal comments that were made. Adolf Hitler like many other controversial figures cannot essentially be distanced from the crimes he committed against humanity.
As the SRC we condemn the actions of Hitler in the strongest terms and we find equally deplorable the generalization that all white people have elements of Hitler in them. We emphasize that these statements were not made in our name.
In no way do we condone the human rights atrocities of the holocaust, or the senseless killing and oppression of human beings anywhere at any time in history.
It is also important that we understand Mr Dlamini’s comment in his intended context, the comments made do not in any way condone Hitler’s actions. Mr Dlamini is in the process of clarifying himself and putting his comments into context. As it stands the comments made and the way in which they have been understood is unacceptable.
To all individuals who have been offended by this incident we want to apologise, this in no way reflects the values of the SRC. Regardless of the offensive nature of what was said by Mr Dlamini in his personal capacity, the SRC will continue to uphold and safeguard the rights of all students of the University of the Witwatersrand, and students can rest assured that the trust in which we were mandated to fulfil our duties on the SRC will be upheld.
-Issued by Senzekahle Mbokazi on behalf of the Wits Student Representative Council”
by Tanisha Heiberg | Apr 28, 2015 | Featured 1, News
In interviews with eNCA and 702, the Wits SRC president Mcebo Dlamini defended his facebook comments about Adolf Hitler that he made over the weekend.
SRC President Mcebo Dlamini at Wits University outside the Great Hall. Photo: Tendai Dube
The Wits SRC president Mcebo Dlamini defended his comments about admiring Adolf Hitler, on eNCA and 702 talk radio this morning.
This comes after Dlamini caused controversy this weekend after he posted a Facebook picture that compares Adolf Hitler with Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu along with the caption, “In every white person there is an element of Adolf Hitler’. Later on in the comments of the same facebook post he says, “I love Adolf Hitler”.
“I admire Adolf Hilter’s style of leadership, he made a nation rally behind him.”
The South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) said that Dlamini’s statements were “racist” and “anti-Semitic, constituting hate speech according to the South African constitution.” The union added that the SRC president’s behaviour was a violation of his leadership role and a “total embarrassment and disgrace to Wits University.”
Despite this outcry from the Jewish community on campus, Dlamini said that he is shocked by the by the response from the white community, “If indeed the Israelites hate Hitler so much…why are they emulating Hitler in that they are subjecting the Palestinian children to discrimination, segregation and human indignity?” is what he told News24 in an interview today
Earlier this morning Dlamini speaking to The Redi Tlhabi Show on 702 and explained that there are good leaders who turn bad,“I admire Adolf Hilter’s style of leadership, he made a nation rally behind him.”
Tlhabi questioned whether Dlamini’s same theory and leadership outlook, extended to Apartheid.
Dlamini said, “Apartheid was well orchestrated it had good leaders to implement it… that is why it lasted so long.”
When asked about his statement by 702’s Tlhabi, that every white person has “an element of Adolf Hitler”, Dlamini defended his comment saying that Hilter put black people in a “zoo” the same way white people did.
“That’s why I’m saying there is an element of Hitler in all white people, what is the difference between George Bush… Tony Blair …Malan…Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler?”
“They are all white and hate black people.”
“A black man can’t be racist…racism is power…I don’t have power”
Whilst talking to the eNCA, Dlamini said “A black man can’t be racist…racism is power…I don’t have power”
The SRC president explained to eNCA anchor, Joanne Joseph, that white people have blood on their hands because white people colonised, dispersed and enslaved black people.
“They are racist and are full of hate.”
The South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) said that Dlamini’s statements were “racist” and “anti-Semitic, constituting hate speech according to the South African constitution.” The union added that the SRC president’s behaviour was a violation of his leadership role and a “total embarrassment and disgrace to Wits University.”
Despite this outcry from the Jewish community on campus, Dlamini said that he is shocked by the by the response from the white community: “If indeed the Israelites hate Hitler so much…why are they emulating Hitler in that they are subjecting the Palestinian children to discrimination, segregation and human indignity?” according to News24.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib, has since released a statement saying that the Facebook posts and subsequent comments are racist and offensive.
‘It violates the fundamental values of Wits University… we expect our officials to be circumspect in their utterances and to act within the values of the institution.”
by Tanisha Heiberg | Apr 25, 2015 | Featured 1, News
Members and supporters of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) were the latest to take to the streets of Johannesburg in a show of opposition to the recent wave of violence against foreign nationals.
MARCHING AGAINST XENOPHOBIA: ANCYL members marched along the streets of Johannesburg in solidarity against the recent xenophobic attacks, on April 24. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
A group of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) members and supporters marched in the streets of Johannesburg against xenophobic attacks yesterday afternoon.
The march of around 100 people started on the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge and made its way to the Yeoville Recreation Centre in Johannesburg.
A truck with loud speakers played songs of unity and led the supporters wearing ANC colours and waving flags and banners in solidarity against the recent attacks.
Boards bearing the hashtag #stopxenophobia, read “This is not what we fought for” and “An injury to one is an injury to all”.
“For us to realize the full potential of Africa we need to be united.”
The league’s provincial spokesperson Mbali Hlophe said the march comes from the rise of Afrophobic attacks that have taken place throughout the country and the need to unite all Africans.
THE YOUTH MARCH: Member’s of the ANCYL marching to Yoeville Recreational Centre in support against xenophobia. Photo: Riante Naidoo
“Whilst we acknowledge the societal ills that are taking place, we are saying to you redirect your energy because attacking each other isn’t going to work nor is it going to get you a job the next day,” Hlophe said.
Lehlohonolo Thatho, a learner at a Johannesburg school, said, “There are some learners from outside the country who don’t feel safe to go to school, so we have to say no to xenophobia.”
An energized crowd toyi-toyi’ed and sang anti-xenophobia songs as they made their way through the streets whilst attracting crowds of spectators from the buildings and shops along the route.
![Mmusi Maimane speaking at an event. Photograph: Stock images by The Democratic Alliance [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://witsvuvuzela.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mmusi_Maimane_Speaking1.jpg)
