Stones and bricks were thrown at vehicles in Actonville, on the East Rand, after crowds threatened to attack foreign owned business on April 16. Photo: Reuven Blignault
Shops along Reading street in Benoni closed today after threats by local residents from nearby Actonville hostels.
This comes after a week of violent xenophobic attacks flared up across South Africa.
According to Warrant Officer Maqabe Ramothakhi, a crowd of about a hundred people gathered in front of the Actonville hostel and threatened to attack foreign shop owners before dispersing this morning.
The crowd gathered again a short while later and began throwing stones.
“They were targeting private and delivery vehicles,” according to Ramathakhi.
Police then fired rubber bullets and teargas in order to disperse the crowd.
No injuries or incidents of damage were reported to the police.
“They take everything for mahala, these outsiders.”
One man who only identified himself as Scorpion said that many of the people living in the hostels did not have jobs and that the shops were owned by foreigners.
“They take everything for mahala (for free), these outsiders.”
According to the Ramothakhi many of the people were taking advantage of the situation and threatened to attack the shops and delivery vehicles.
Ruth Mbhele who works in Benoni said she and her sister had to leave work to come and fetch their children in fear that they would also be attacked.
She explained that her eldest niece phoned them whilst walking in Wattville and they could hear her saying, “Don’t hit me I’m from school.”
Ramothakhi said that they suspect that there may be further incidents in the area tonight. “A case of public violence was opened by the police,” said Ramothakhi. Shop owner Lovely Singh said they were advised to close their shops this morning as a precaution but will try to reopen tomorrow.
Shop owners on Jeppe Street locking up their businesses in fear of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg on April 15, 2015. Photo: Reuven Blignault
Foreign shop owners closed their businesses amid fears of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg’s city centre today.
This comes after at least five people,including a 14-year-old boy, were killed when violence broke out in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
Earlier in the day police were scattered throughout the CBD in anticipation, as violence against foreign nationals threatened to spread to Johannesburg.
Many of the busy inner city shops were deserted with shutters pulled down due to threats of similar violence and looting to that of Durban’s city centre. The atmosphere of anticipation was occasionally broken by bursts of police sirens.
Some shop owners were questioning whether they should remain or leave after rumours that an attack was planned on foreign businesses.
“They will kill us like chickens.”
Somali-born Amin Bama said, “If I open my shop they will take everything and then I won’t have anything to sell.”
A crowd gathered on Jeppe street and waited for the rumoured attack. Many of the foreign nationals discussed the fear of a possible pending xenophobic attack during the day and how they felt about South Africa.
Muswamba Kabemba, a Congolese informal trader, said that she was afraid to go home because the taxis are operated by South Africans.
“They will kill us like chickens,” she said.
Others such as Congolese national Theresa Kauenda blamed the government saying that they have nowhere else to go and the government is not helping them find work or a refuge.
“They are keeping us in the fire, we are living in fire.”
Many of the foreign nationals felt like they had nowhere else to go because their countries suffered from the effects of civil war and many members of their families live in South Africa.
A Zimbabwean man named Alex Ndlovu, who has lived in South Africa for 17 years said, “All my children stay here and my wife is from here.”
The violence over the past few weeks came after King Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly said that foreigners should leave South Africa last month in Pongola.
There is reportedly a heavy police presence in the area this evening after hostel dwellers stoned passing vehicles according to Eyewitness News.
Nigerian clothing shop owner Jackson Brown said he locked up his shop because this is not the first time this has happened.
“They will come with sticks and knives.”
These incidents echo those of 2008 when 60 people died during xenophobia attacks.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) tents at a refugee camp in Midrand, Johannesburg, during the 2008 xenophobic violence and rioting. Source: Wikimedia Commons
At least five people have been killed and thousands more displaced after xenophobic violence spread to parts of KwaZulu-Natal, over the past two weeks.
The latest wave of attacks on foreign nationals in the province saw clashes in Durban city centre yesterday afternoon.
One of the victims was a 14-year-old boy who was shot dead during a confrontation between security guards and a group looting foreign-owned shops yesterday afternoon.
Police warned shop owners to stay in their shops as they used stun grenades, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the mob yesterday.
Ethiopian shop owner Aka Bob Amaha said to TimesLIVE: “Please help us. They want to kill us.”
The violence comes a month after King Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly said in his address in Pongola, that foreigners should leave South Africa.
Thousands of foreigners have been driven from their homes in Isipingo, Chatsworth, Umlazi, KwaMashu and Sydenham, and placed in transit camps in Isipingo and Chatsworth.
Dr Abdirisack Hashi, from aid group the Gift of the Givers told News24, that families they rescued would join approximately 7 000 people made up of “almost 10 different nations” living in tents provided by the KwaZulu-Natal government.
Authorities were preparing for another day of violence today, after Mahatma Gandhi road was barricaded during protests yesterday.
Screaming pre-teens with banners declaring undying love and tolerant parents is what met me at this weekend’s One Direction concert at FNB Stadium.
Being in my twenties and knowing the depths of fanaticism of the “Directioners” I was understandably apprehensive to embark on this journey to Soccer City, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Fans came out in their thousands to see their favourite band complete with the official 1D survival kit of: a custom t-shirt, a sign with Harry Styles’ face covered in glitter hearts and, of course, parental supervision.
The organizers seemed to be fearful with the large number of hormonal fans causing them to beef up security and enforce strict rules. Some new rules included parents accompanying their children to the concert with one particularly peeved and heavily tattooed father that I noticed who would seem more at home at a SlipKnot concert than waiting for his daughter to see her boyband heart throb.
The crowd waiting to see One Direction at FNB Stadium on March 28. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
But not all the Directioners got to see their favourite member, with the recent split of Zayn Malik, which sent fans into a whirlwind of tears, tantrums and emotional angst, even resulting in the bizarre hashtag of #CutForZayn promoting self-harm.
One 13-year-old named Nikata Bullah, who arrived in a limousine with her friends, described Zayn’s leaving the formerly five-person band as, “Losing a fifth of her heart.”
Instead of the usual beer drinking and stumbling audience that we are all familiar with, this audience of pre-teens were giddy on excitement, hormones and too much candy.
The show began with 2013 winner of SA’s Got Talent, Jonny Apple, nervously warming up the crowd with the help of guests, X Factor SA 2014 winners, FOUR. Then, just to add more suspense for the fans who were now fast approaching what would usually be their bedtime, they played party classics that everyone knew the words and moves to like “The Macarena,” “Single Ladies,” “You’re the One That I Want”, and others that only the mothers knew the words to, such as the Friends theme song.
The most baffling part however was watching thousands of midriff baring tweens singing “All the single ladies, now put your hands up”. You are eight years old … of course you should be single!
After hours of waiting for the show to begin the lights dimmed, the screaming hit a decibel that only cats could hear and the boy band, consisting of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, finally entered the stage.
The band performed their hits like “Steal My Girl,” “Midnight Memories,” and “Story of My Life” in between constantly thanking the crowd and telling them how amazing they were. They also told the usual lies of how this was the best crowd they ever had and waving the South African flag, just in case we all forgot what country we were in.
At moments I found the crowds reactions more entertaining than the band’s performance. The now quartet had to dodge many “gifts” being thrown on stage like teddy bears, large bras (clearly the mothers’) and plastic cups.
After a Mexican wave, a final thank you and the encore, the band left the stage while cleverly using an amazing fireworks display to distract the fans, so as to avoid possible tears and tantrums. Clever thinking boys!
It was an interesting experience even just to understand the lengths that fans of the four boys from England will go to in our own country. It also brought back memories somewhere deep, deep, DEEP down where there’s a little girl in each of us that remembers the moves to the Backstreet Boys songs and still knows which Spice Girl she was in her group of friends.
Abram Fischer, commonly known as Bram Fischer (1908-1975), was honoured at the University of Witwatersrand with an honorary doctorate and colloquium on March 26, for his place in the history of the struggle against apartheid.
BRAM FISCHER: Panel at the colloquium at the Wits University, including Lorraine Chaskalson, Ruth Rice, Max Sisulu, Ilse Wilson, Sir Nicholas Stadlen, Professor Stephan Clingman, Dr Sholto Cross, Ahmed Kathrada, Lord Joel Joffe, Andrew Mlangeni, Denis Goldberg, Lesley Schermbrucker, George Bizos, Mosie Moolla not pictured here) and Yvonne Malan not pictured here). Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
1. Nelson Mandela has credited Fischer for saving him and other senior leadership of the ANC (African National Congress) from the gallows during the Rivonia Trial.
2. He is the only revolutionary communist leader to have played rugby as scrumhalf against the All Blacks for the Free State Province.
3. He has cum laude degrees in both his BA and LLB from Grey University College
WATCH THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
4. In 1930 he was awarded the Rhodes scholarship and attended New College at Oxford where he received a diploma in law and economics.
5. His wife, Molly, who was also a political activist, died in a freak car accident shortly after the Rivonia Trial verdict, a fact that Fischer did not mention whilst visiting his comrades on Robben Island, a week later, so as not to burden them.
6. Fischer was a part time lecturer in law at Wits during the time he was building up his practice at the Bar
7. He used the surname “Black” as a pseudonym in 1965 when he went underground for 9 months
8. Whilst in prison, Fischer was unable to attend the funeral of his son Paul who suffered from cystic fibrosis and died at the age of 23
9. After his arrest and sentence, Fischer was asked whether his sacrifice was worth it. He was offended by the question and replied, “Did you ask Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki or Kathy Kathrada or any others that have already suffered this punishment? If not, why do you ask me?”
10. Fischer died cancer in 1975 at his brothers home in Bloemfontein, after being released from jail a few weeks prior.
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja and Yo-Landi Visser Directed By: Neill Blomkamp Vuvuzela Rating: 7/10
CHAPPIE is a sci-fi action set in the near future in Johannesburg where the police have been successfully replaced by mechanised robots. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, Chappie includes an A-list cast of Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver, as well as rap-rave duo Die Antwoord, Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er, who add to the film’s Jozi cred, though their acting ‘talents’ leave a lot to be desired.
The film makes extensive use of robotics and plenty of South African stereotypes to show that a robot is, in the words of Yo-Landi, “more than just a machine!”
One of these robots, Chappie (voiced by South African Sharlto Copley), ends up in the hands of gangsters Ninja (Watkin Tudor Jones), Yo-Landi ( Yolandi Visser) and Amerika (Jose Pablo Cantillo). He is reprogrammed and given the ability to feel, think and even paint by himself. Chappie’s humanisation is resisted by those who believe robots should remain machines and so the plot unfolds.
Unlike Blomkamp’s previous sci-fi movie, District 9, Chappie is not as successful in creating a sympathetic audience after showing a sulky and morally conflicted wannabe gangster robot who believes that stabbing someone puts them to sleep.
“The special effects are convincing and live up to the high standards of a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster.”
Jackman, who plays weapon designer Vincent Moore, is generally dull and Weaver, who plays robot-building boss Michelle Bradley, is underused throughout the movie. Dev Patel, of Slumdog Millionaire fame, holds his own in his role as Chappie’s creator Deon Wilson. However the duo of Die Antwoord don’t seem to be “the answer”, with their below par acting skills and their presence coming off as a platform to promote their music, with snippets of their songs and branded clothing.
The plot seems flimsy at times, with Deon (Patel) finding inspiration from a cat poster on the wall of his cubicle. Many issues raised in the film go largely unexplored such as the moral values of artificial intelligence versus those of human beings. Unfortunately the movies’ tagline, “Humanity’s Last Hope Isn’t Human”, is misleading as Chappie is more about questioning what it is to be human rather than saving any humans.
The film draws on stock-types in its portrayals of Hippo who is a drug and arms dealer, played by South African actor Brandon Auret, in dreads, a dark tan and using a strange African accent.
The protagonist, Chappie, is another such case after he spontaneously develops an unexplained Cape Flats accent despite never coming into contact with anyone of that region.
However, the special effects are convincing and live up to the high standards of a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster.
The film is a slow starter that gains momentum with an explosive finale which leaves the audience wondering if there will be a sequel. It is an appealing film to watch, even if it is just to see how Blomkamp attempts to juggle Die Antwoord’s counter-culture with sci-fi robots in a South African context. At the very least there’s nothing like supporting South African filmmakers by watching a familiar skyline and seeing local talent on the big screen.
The film is much like its namesake, Chappies chewing gum. It is intriguing with its attention-grabbing wrapper and bright colours but eventually the flavour quickly wears off leaving the audience with a bland taste in their mouths.
The university is currently busy with plans to expand the network to residences, teaching venues, offices and public spaces that do not have WiFi access, according to the director of the Computer Network Services Xolani Hadebe.
A map showing the Wi-Fi hotspots on campus. Photo: Wits University Knowledge and Information Management
2. Safety comes first
Unprotected WiFi networks can be risky; here are some tips to keep your information safe from the Director of the Computer Network Services (CNS) of Wits University, Xolani Hadebe
Change your password regularly- monthly if possible
Never share passwords with students, staff or technicians
The passwords should be complex and should have capitals, numbers and a special character
Be aware of phishing emails. The university will never ask to verify passwords or credentials
Turn the auto-connect settings on your device off
Install anti-virus software on to all devices including mobile devices
Be aware of downloading from unsecure sites that often lure you in with free content
3. Campus WiFi speed
The speed of the connection differs depending on the traffic on the WiFi network. The highest number of devices connected at the same time on the Wits WiFi has been 5000 to 5500, according to the CNS’s assistant director Rosa Kotsiovos. However no policy has yet been introduced to limit the amount of devices that a user can register, according to the CNS’s assistant director Hanish Patel.
4. WiFi terms explained
Network- A wireless local area is known as WLAN and allows two or more devices to communicate using radio waves instead of wires
Access point- This is a central device that broadcasts a WiFi signal to connect to devices
Router- This is a wireless access point that allows a network of wireless devices to communicate
Security Type- The wireless network is protected by authorized access by security protocols that provide stronger data protection. The most popular being WEP, WPA and WPA2
Signal Level- This is the strength of the radio waves that transfer signal and is usually measure in decibels
5. Do Witsie’s use the campus WiFi?
Sabelo Makagbo inside University Corner at Wits University. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
Sabelo Makagbo said, “No because technology is too hard for me to comprehend…I don’t even know how to [connect to WiFi].”
Tahlia Govender on East Campus at Wits University. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
Tahlia Govender said, “Yes…it works pretty well but I think depending on what you are doing…it doesn’t seem to load things fast enough.”
Still not connected to WiFi?
If you are tech savvy you can set up your own device by clicking here and following the instructions.
Alternatively you can take your device to the Library Computer Services from Monday to Thursday between 14:00 and 15:00, for help setting up your wireless devices.
Agnes Mkhonza, Tumelo Ratlhago, Charles Simant and Duanne Manake (from right) ready to start getting to know each other at the Speed Dating night at Reith Hall. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
Tanisha Heiberg
Reith Hall ladies residence held a Speed Dating Fundraiser for the One Million One Month campaign on Friday night.
“This year we saw the need to take the money to the SRC as we can see that our fellow students are suffering, so we just wanted to help…we also believe that charity begins at home,”
“This year we saw the need to take the money to the SRC as we can see that our fellow students are suffering, so we just wanted to help…we also believe that charity begins at home,” said the house committee’s entertainment officer, Mompumelelo Matsimane.
“Last year I had outstanding fees so I went to the SRC and they helped me … if we can also contribute to the SRC then they can come back and help us.” said Matsimane
The ladies were seated on one side and the gentlemen on the other. The couples then had three minutes to get to know each other before they moved on to the next potential candidate for their affections.
“While they were speaking to each other, they scored each other out of 10 in terms of appearance, personality and romance… whichever girl and guy got the highest score we gave prizes”, explained Matsimane
The students were supplied with refreshments to go with the romantic atmosphere, including strawberries and a chocolate fountain. The evening was met with enthusiasm and cheerful mood with many students hoping to meet that special someone.
Kamogelo Khatle, a BA Law student said “It seems like a very fun experience and I’m hoping to find someone…who makes me laugh, who asks different questions, who doesn’t talk about school or what I’m studying.”
But despite the candles and heart shaped balloons not all the students were there to find a potential partner, like Esselen Residence’s house committee member, Lerato Ramotshela who said he was there to support his sister res.
“Currently I’m not single, I’m here tonight for the ladies and gentlemen looking for love because I’m in love.”
The event was also meaningful for many of the students who were either themselves affected by funding or knew someone who was.
The event raised R3200 after participants donated more money to help their fellow students complete their education.
The speed dating event is an annual charity fundraiser which raises money through ticket sales.
An online petition to reinstate the journalism program at the University of Pretoria has gathered just over 100 signatures after being launched this week (at time of publication, for link click here).
Signing of the petition:
Staff and pupils, past and present, have signed the petition that was created on an online website and shared on social media by BA Languages student, Quintus Potgieter. Former head of department Pippa Green and full-time lecturer Marenet Jordaan were among those that signed the petition.
“Journalism is an essential tool in a democracy and is a viable employment opportunity for students.”
Green said: “I thought it was a pity that the university decided to close it. We were always a practically/professionally orientated program rather than a more academic one, but we focused a lot on rigour in research/reporting and in writing.”
The suspension of the program left many students who had studied a general BA degree unable to take the honours program. Students commented on the petition that they faced problems such as not having an alternative course to study, financial issues involved in relocating to another university and concerns about the impact it will have on the media in the country.
UP responds:
When asked about the petition and the reason for the suspension of the program, the university’s media liaison officer Sanku Tsunke said: “The university had placed the journalism programme in abeyance until the end of this year (2015), whereafter a decision will be made about the programme’s future.”
Potgieter, a presenter on a community radio station who was planning to study with the program said: “Even if you are involved in community radio or local newspapers, how are you supposed to feel adequately equipped without a qualification.”
“Even if you are involved in community radio or local newspapers, how are you supposed to feel adequately equipped without a qualification.”
However there were comments on the petition that suggested the program should be improved if reintroduced such as upgrading the curriculum and modules.
The petition:
The online petition states: “Journalism is an essential tool in a democracy and is a viable employment opportunity for students … If we remove journalism from our society, it ensures that stories of corruption and stories that inspire this country to be better are forever hidden.”
The program was initially downsized from an undergraduate and honours course to only the honours degree in journalism. Thereafter the BA Honours program in journalism was also suspended as from 2015.
Potgieter plans to take the petition to individual classes in the humanities faculty and reach 200 signatures that he will present to UP in the hope it will reinstate the journalism program at postgraduate level or a four-year undergraduate and honours course.
PHYSICAL DANCING: Sthembiso Khalishwayo, recently choreographed a piece of physical theatre at the Dance Umbrella’s Young Choreographers programme, called The Life I Lived. Photo: Tanisha Heiberg
Sthembiso Khalishwayo grew up being told stories by his mother and in particular one about a fearsome snake on a mountain. But unlike other children Khalishwayo was not afraid, but rather intrigued as he wanted to climb this mountain and find the snake. It was this adventurous spirit that helped shape him into a choreographer and performer who wants to help others tell their own stories.
“That snake on the mountain top is that one thing I’m trying to find, that drama that I want to see happen in South Africa,” said Khalishwayo, MA in Applied Theatre.
Khalishwayo recently choreographed a physical theatre piece for the 2015 Dance Umbrella’s Young Choreographers platform. The work, titled The Life I Lived, is the journey of a 27-year-old man that explores the stories which unfold around us and affect the stories that we tell.
“As South Africans regardless of race we are born with stories being told to us … These stories are a fundamental piece of who we are,” explains Khalishwayo.
He is not only passionate about helping others find their voice but also teaching. Khalishwayo hopes that in the future children will be exposed to dance and physical theatre at schools.
Listening to the stories of others is what helped him create his productions, which he hopes will encourage others to find their own voice. This includes the tough issues such as women abuse which is depicted through gesture and movement in his production.
“For me that is a very important topic because I’ve known so many women that have gone through that … and the only way I can show their stories is through drama and theatre.”
Khalishwayo hopes the production will have a therapeutic effect and may encourage others to speak out.
He is not only passionate about helping others find their voice but also teaching. Khalishwayo hopes that in the future children will be exposed to dance and physical theatre at schools.
“If we don’t do those things then physical theatre and dance will fall away to the side and we will lose an important aspect of the arts,” he said.
Khalishwayo was first inspired to begin his journey to the mountian of being a peformer whilst singing in his primary school choir. He later developed a knack for acting in high school. But his appetite for dance only flourished while studying Physical Theatre and performance at Wits. The production, titled Touch and choreographed by Athena Mazarakis, was the first physical theatre production he saw which ignited his desire to be a choreographer.
“If we don’t do those things then physical theatre and dance will fall away to the side and we will lose an important aspect of the arts.”
Since then Khalishwayo has created over 25 productions and worked with industry professionals, including PJ Sabbagha, Gregory Maqoma, Nadine Joseph, Bailey Snyman and Tracy Human. He has many aspirations for the future and many snakes on many mountains to find, owning his own dance company, running a theatre and a school of arts.
The curtain comes down and the story is told but Khalishwayo will continue to look for that snake hiding on top of every mountain.
Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections. Additionally, […]
