by tebogo | 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 tebogo | Apr 1, 2011 | News
ACADEMIC ACHIEVER: Morris Masutha was honoured recently for scoring two distinctions. Photo: Courtesy Morris Masutha
Wits SRC president Mukovhe Morris Masutha was honoured with an award at the academic dinner on March 25 for obtaining two distinctions in economic geography and city cultures III.
Despite his disadvantaged background Masitha has managed to achieve a lot in his four years in Johannesburg. He was elected spokesperson of the ANC Youth League in 2008, Sasco’s spokesperson and chairperson of Men’s Res in 2009, and Wits SRC president this year.
Born in Mapate village, Venda, and one of seven children. Masutha says he had lots of challenges growing up and during his first year at Wits in 2007. He walked to school 2km from his home barefooted. He says that poverty never impacted on his academic performance.
“I stayed outside campus in my first year; I had a low self esteem but gained my confidence when I stayed at Mens Res in my 2nd year.”
He laughs when he recalls being part of the 2007 strike against high school fees because he did not want to write his psychology test.
The strike made him realised how much fee increments negatively impacted on working-class students and this motivated his passion for politics.
According to Mashita students need to unite in addressing issues they face. He aims on fighting against financial exclusion which he calls ‘academic genocide’ on poor students.
“Education students have been treated unfairly and rejected for a long time, and I am going to fight this,” he adds.
Masutha is an inspiration to many students who are from disadvantage backgrounds.
“Our SRC president motivates me, I am from rural Kwa Zulu-Natal, and I feel left out in class because my English skills are not as up to date as others and I have a low self-esteem. I now believe the situation I am facing will pass and I will gain confidence like he did,” says Ntokozo Mchunu, 1st year LLB student.
Robert Maremela, 1st year BAed student says, “The SRC president struck me as a brave man, his commitment to fight against academic exclusion explains it.:
Maremela says financial exclusion negatively impacts on him as he travels from squatters of Honeydew to school because his financial aid package doesn’t cover residence and thinks the president should get all the support needed from students.
“This Masutha serves as an inspiration to many students and proves the stereotype that SRC members always do badly academically and takes up to five years to complete a three year degree, wrong.”
by tebogo | Mar 28, 2011 | News
Wits students failing to comply with the Tobacco Act and the university‘s smoking policy are negatively affecting the health of their fellow students.
According to the Tobacco Act, smoking in public places, such as covered patios, verandas, balconies, walkways and parking areas, is prohibited.
Wits smoking policy stipulates that smoking is not allowed throughout the university‘s campuses except within designated smoking areas outside buildings which are identified by “smoking permitted” signs.
However, many students are unaware of the smoking law and ignore the “no smoking signs”around campus.
“I assumed all places except inside buildings were smoking areas because everybody does it,” says Vireshan Ponnan, a 1st year BSc student.
Section 29 of the Constitution states: “Every person has the right to an environment which is not detrimental to his or health or well being.”
Some Witsies complain that their section 29 right is infringed by students who smoke outside the Matrix and on walkways.
“I am suffering from migraine, the smell of cigarette gives me a headache,” says 3RD year student Mmathapelo Khutone.
Pitjeng Matlaba, 2nd year BSc (maths), says despite the posters prohibiting smoking in Res buildings, students still smoke inside and she “cannot stand the smell of cigarettes”.
Besides the Act stating where you can and cannot smoke, there are also laws that prevent shop owners from selling tobacco products to people under 18.
“Tobacco products may not be sold at any educational institution including tertiary institutions where anyone under the age of 18 years receives education,” said Una van Zyl, CEO of The Institute of Southern Africa (TISA).
“I am 17 and I always buy cigarettes at a shop in the Matrix and they never ask for my ID,” said a 1st year student.
Shops which sell which sell tobacco to under 18s are in breach of the law and are eligible for a fine.
The Wits smoking policy acknowledges that smoking pollutes the environment and is harmful to the health of both smokers and non-smokers.
The university offers assistance to those who wish to quit smoking through the Campus Health and Wellness Centre on the Matrix basement floor.
by tebogo | Mar 24, 2011 | News
Humanities students from the African Languages and Political Studies department are angered by the fact that their reading packs were delivered almost a month late.
“I only got the course pack March 7th , I wanted to pre-read but there were no reading packs, the lecturer only gave us summaries which weren’t helping because they were in point form ,” says, 1st year African Languages student.
A student who spoke to Vuvuzela on condition of anonymity complained that tuition fees cover reading packs; they should get a discount for packs delay.
“I am first year and need more time to research on the essay topic but how am I going to do that if there is no reading materials,” she says.
Dr Mhlambi, African Languages Head of Department says “Students always get their reading packs two weeks after school opening, because it’s better to make them available at that time as most students amend our subject and don’t return the packs they got and it costs the department more money.”
“I gave the first year student I lecture copies of two readings to cover two weeks‘s work, students who say I didn’t are telling lies.
“I am more concerned about the charges the students incur, they get charged for the packs they took before amending our course, by giving them notes instead of reading pack, they will pay a lesser amount.”, says Quinn Setshedi, African Languages lecture.
An honours student complained about getting politics reading packs two weeks after opening, and it has been like that since her first year.
“They expect essays on due date, forgetting that we got our reading packs late”, he says.
Professor Butler, chair and head of department says “Students numbers exceeded our expectations for most-but not all our courses. In Pols 2006, in particular, there were 50 more students registered that we had predicted”
He further says there were lengthy delays in getting additional copies printed.
A Wits staff member blamed the lecturers for this, he further explained that lecturers should compile and order the pack at least 4months before school re-opening.
Mrs Merle Govender, senior admin secretary for Media Studies and African Literature says, lecturers compile reading material and get them printed a few months before school, so they are available to students first day of school.
“I always got my Media Studies course packs on time, but politics ones are always delayed” BA graduate, Lerato Tsolo says.
by tebogo | Mar 4, 2011 | News
A fight broke out between two senior law students at a welcoming party hosted by the Law Students Council (LSC) at O-Village on campus last Friday.
A fight between Sibusiso Ngcube, 23, 4th year LLB student and Mqondisi Khumalo, 23, 3rd year Bcom (Law) broke out at about 15:08 after a disagreement.
“I don’t want to be disrespected, I am from the hood,” Ngcube said.
Seane Kanyane, 1st year Bsc (Civil Engineering) said “I am terrified. I didn’t expect such behaviour from senior students. What kind of example are they setting for us?”
Both Khumalo and Ngcube consumed alcohol before attending the party. And they were provided with free alcohol by the Law Students Council.
Ngcube spilled alcohol on Khumalo’s shirt while trying to punch him. Khumalo then tried to hit him back but was stopped by the security guard and a friend.
The two were taken outside to sort out their differences. Ngcube hit Khumalo again with a glass full of alcohol.
Ngcube on Monday said he was sorry about what had happened. He said he was drunk and wasn’t thinking straight. “Mqondisi and I have been friends since first year.
“I am quite embarrassed about the fight. Mqondisi does not want to forgive me and I hope he finds it in his heart to do so.”
Khumalo said. “I was confused, embarrassed and I am glad they stopped us because I was going to beat him up. Sibusiso should just grow up. He is using the fact that he was intoxicated as an excuse.”
Khumalo said Ngcube always picks a fight with people when he is drunk.
M S Modisa, Campus Control security guard, said students end up fighting among themselves at most parties.
Krystelle Nyasha Brown, LSC entertainment officer, said law students had never had a welcoming party before and that it was intended to bring about camaraderie among law students.
