In an exhilarating final game, Barnies took on the reins, making them the crowning champions on campus.
Barnato hall remained undefeated with a score of 24-13 in their last intense Wits internal netball league match at Diggs Field on Tuesday, 14 May 2024.
The game started in high spirits, with Barnato scoring 8-2 goals in the first quarter, making it difficult for the Zulu Society to catch up. Most of the goals were scored by Seleke.
Barnato player in possession of the ball trying to bypass opponents. Photo: Sanele Sithetho
Barnato was disadvantaged as their goal attack, Onkarabetse Seleke was coming back from a knee injury that she suffered during their previous game. However, she managed to score most of the goals in the first quarter.
Zulu Society made a comeback in the second quarter, ending the 15-minutes with a 5-4 score.
The third quarter was intense, resulting in the injury of Barnato’s goal defence, Ayanda Kunene who cried out in pain after spraining her ankle due to a hard fall, leading her to be removed from the game.
Further into the quarter, Seleke’s knee injury inflicted pain, but she insisted on persevering and seeing the game to the end. In reducing the pressure on her, the coach, Esther Ukpe advised her to switch positions with the goal shooter, Hazel Moyo.
Players battling to catch the ball. Photo: Sanele Sithetho
Despite the disadvantages experienced by Barnato, as they led into the final quarter, they had already known that this was their game. However, Zulu Society did not give them an easy time, as they defended till the end. The quarter ended with a score of 9-2.
Barnato flare up in excitement when the referee blew the last whistle, whilst someone from the crowd screamed “now that’s how you end a league.”
Ukpe told Wits Vuvuzela that the game went very well. “Two of our players got injured and we were struggling through the game, but we fortunately managed to push through” she said. She added that moving forward, the team will work on their communication during games, as this could improve their overall performance.
Amnandi Masimula, the coach of the Zulu Society was proud of her team despite them losing. “It was tough, it was a tough game, but we prevailed up until the end,” she said.
FEATURED IMAGE: An intense final internal league netball match between Barnato and Zulu Society. Photo: Sanele Sithetho
The story of Isiphosethu in Ungubani sheds light on the divine powers of ancestors, and the importance of knowing your roots as an African.
The play follows Isiphosethu, a rightful royal queen summoned home by destiny. Raised in Johannesburg, she is haunted by recurring ancestral dreams urging her to return to where her inkaba (umbilical cord) lies buried.
Aphelele Sidelo, a member of the cast and writer of the play says, “This play aims to remind people of the importance of intsomi as it was used by our grandparents to tell stories with the essence of moral teaching.”
The play took place at the Emakhaya Theatre atWits Art Museum) on April 29, 2024, in front of a jam packed audience.
The cast incorporated emotional traditional isiXhosa poetry, music, and intsomi (tales) into experimental theatre. The play opened with a powerful Isixhosa chant as Isiphosethu embarked on her journey to the longed-for village.
Isiphosethu starring at her aunt Nofesti in shock . Photo: Salim Nkosi
Despite not being familiar with the language, it was remarkable how the cast ensured that their message was effectively conveyed to the spectators through expressive body language.
Director and composer, Mandipumle Nokonya told to Wits Vuvuzela that “the language barrier was a major hurdle since some cast members weren’t Xhosa speakers. They trained extensively to preserve the play’s theme.” Watching, one would have assumed they were all native isiXhosa speakers, a testament to their talent and dedication.
In the play, Isizwe Samanqosi, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, is governed by the malevolent Queen Nofesti. She killed her sibling Nomadubazana, the rightful queen, and ordered her brother Zwelakhe to murder Nomadubazana’s newborn, Isiphosetthu.
Nofesti did not know that Isiphosethu was not killed and was taken to Johannesburg by her uncle. She was ruling the village against the will of the family’s ancestors.
Her use of vulgar and profane language, revealed the type of a person she was, which envoked feelings of resentment amongst those on stage in the audience alike. I saw her as an evil dictator, she showed the characteristics of a nowadays selfish politician.
Upon arriving in the village, Isiphosethu encounters her uncle and pivotal figures who guide her journey. Eventually, she attends a royal meeting called by Nofesti, where her identity is unveiled, unraveling her entire life story.
This was a cringe moment, the scene was chaotic and very emotional, and it revealed how greed and power can turn people against their loved ones. Signifying the pursuit of self-interest at the expense of others.
The village faced grave danger as Nofesti, an arrogant witch, disregarded the pleas of her people, using her powers to suppress opposition. This illustrates the consequences of undeserving authority.
Isiphosethu’s arrival rescued the villagers, leading to Nofesti’s downfall at the hands of the oppressed community. The rightful queen assumed her throne, and the play concluded with Queen Siphosethu’s marriage and the village rejoicing in their newfound freedom.
Isiphosethu getting proposed to. Photo: Salim Nkosi
The performance left an indelible mark, while the singing and clapping in the house were memorable, it’s the importance of feeling like you belong, a constant guiding light in life’s twists and turns that will stay with me.
Vuvu rating: 8/10
Featured image: The villagers of Isizwe Samanqosi grieving their struggles. Photo: Salim Nkosi
Despite contingency measures, the electricity crisis persists, leaving some students hungry, and desperate.
Hundreds of students, primarily those living off campus have had a tough week without consistent access to electricity. The Wits Students Law Council stepped in to help those who have been going to bed and class hungry on Tuesday, May 8.
A note to students reads: “Parcels limited, law students priority” on a door in the Olive Schreiner building. A harsh reality check as resources are stretched thin amidst the ongoing electricity crisis. Photo: Katlego Mtshali
Between 08:00 and 10:00 in the Oliver Schreiner building, council members handed out grocery hampers containing non-perishable food items. Muhammed Takolia, a Community Development subcommittee member, reached out to Ashraful Aid to make the initiative possible.
Ntiyiso Chauke, a second-year LLB student, said: “I can no longer afford to rely on takeaways as a daily solution, as it is financially straining.”
Salim Nkosi, an Honours in Journalism student said that he has exceeded his usual expenses, “I’ve used R900 in 6 days, which is normally what I would spend in two weeks.”
First-year Bachelor of Accounting student,Sandile Gumede, said while grateful for the food, preparing it will prove difficult. The generator in his residence building is currently only operational between 08:00 and 10:00, which is when he plans to prepare his meals as he must also ensure his attendance at his morning classes. Having to make a choice between cold food and his attendance record.
During the handover, Wits Vuvuzela watched as some students had to be turned away. Katleho Ledibone, a third-year LLB student and Social Outreach and Community Development officer, explained that the council had prioritised law students, but would help students living off campus if they had leftovers or received more donations.
One of the students who had to leave was Tshepo Mathonsi who said, “It has been difficult, and I am disappointed I could not get a grocery hamper.”
Paballo Sethathi, a third-year LLB student said he has been borrowing money to get by and has fallen behind with his studies. “Libraries are full because so many of us are affected… some close early therefore I cannot work for as long as I want.” He added that all his textbooks are in PDF format, so he needs his electronic devices to be fully charged to read.
First-year Arts and Performance students Londeka Ndwandwe and Sylvia Sotomela said that while South Africans are accustomed to loadshedding, “we cannot normalize being in the dark for days…it should also be considered that we come from different homes/backgrounds our parents cannot give us money for food every day now that our groceries are spoilt.”
The Wits Senior Executive Team acknowledged the impact of the electricity crisis on students, particularly those in off-campus residences like Noswall Hall, and various South Point buildings, and is working to provide support through the Division of Student Affairs and accredited service providers. Additionally, the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach Unit is offering extra meals and food assistance to students in need.
“We are in contact with the relevant utilities, departments, and we are hopeful that power will be restored fully in the next day or two,” the university said in a statement.
The Wits Students Law Council has promised to organise more hampers and has asked students to remain patient and be on the lookout for announcements regarding future distributions.
FEATURED IMAGE: Students affected by the power outage clutch essential grocery parcels on May 8, 2024, a beacon of hope in time of need. Photo : Katlego Mtshali
Students live in Joburg, yet they hardly experience the city; here’s budget-friendly guide to places to help let loose and fall in love with the city of gold.
The University of the Witwatersrand is situated in the heart of Joburg’s CBD, with students from all over the world who enter its door. However, students, especially the ones that are novices to the area, do not know what is beyond the perimeter of their place of study — missing out on exciting spots to visit in the city.
Other students miss out as they get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life and forget what is around them.
As today is National Tourism Day, which serves to commemorate all the aspects that contribute to a country’s travel and tourism allure; Wits Vuvuzela compiled a list of tourist attractions that students can try in celebration of the day.
The tourism sector took a beating during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is currently picking up. According to Stats SA, the volume of tourist arrivals increased by 152,6% from 2,2 million in 2021 to 5,6 million in 2022. The statistics agency explained that the national gradual improvement was observed in the number of tourists arrivals from January to December 2022; however, it is still 44,3% below the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Looking closer at the numbers, of the 5,5 million tourists in South Africa in 2022, 0,7% are students in the country, 4,7% are from other African countries, and 0,1% are international.
Beyond this, the sector is amongst the biggest contributors to GDP in the country.
Thus, one can see how tourism is a necessary sector in South Africa with predominant hotspots in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Luckily for Wits students, they have the best tourist places within their fingertips.
An eagle’s eye view of Johannesburg showing bustling traffic and the hidden gems the city has to offer. Photo: Victoria Hill
Tourist hubs are made up of historical, cultural, environmental, and social aspects, which students can choose from. They also vary on a scale of affordability, which is vital to consider as students are always looking for fun outings that do not break the bank.
Under R100:
1. Wits Art Museum
2. Wits Origins Centre
3. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
4. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
5. The Wilds Nature Reserve
6. Constitution Hill
7. South African National Museum of Military History
8. Johannesburg Zoo
9. Lindfield Victorian House Museum
10. James Hall Museum of Transport
11. Adventure Golf [one game = R36,67]
12. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Between R100-R200:
13. Apartheid Museum
14. Montecasino Bird Gardens
15. Multiflora Flower Market
16. Ice-skating
Between R200-R300:
17. 44 Stanley
18. Gold Reef City Theme Park
19. Maboneng Precinct
20. Melville
21. Parktown 4th Avenue
22. Illovo Muse
23. Rosebank Rooftop Market
24. Fourway’s Farmers Market
25. Neighbour Goods Market
26. Victoria Yards
27. Hashtag Escape
Independent ticket pricing:
28. Joburg Theatre
29. Wits Theatre Complex
30. Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
No matter if you want to go from zero to one hundred, Johannesburg will always have something in store for you. These are just a few tourist attractions near or surrounding Wits University, but if you want an adventure beyond these borders, a road trip is always worth it.
Watch a Google Earth deep dive into each location:
FEATURED IMAGE: The skyline of Johannesburg as seen from the Wits Art Museum building’s 20th floor. Photo: Victoria Hill
Students staying in private student accommodations in Braamfontein concerned by a series of suspicious power outages affecting their daily lives.
Although load-shedding has been suspended, there are still instances of power supply disruptions, frequently attributed to cable theft.
Recently, on May 1, 2024, City Power confirmed that a fire broke out at Fordsburg substation the previous night, due to suspected vandalism and cable theft.
According to City Power, cable theft at the Fordsburg substation not only started a fire, but burnt the cables linking it to the Braamfontein one. This caused a blackout for many areas in Braamfontein and Parktown. It was the third time City Power announced a power outage in Braamfontein, which resulted from cable theft in the month of April, with the area also experiencing unexplained power outages on April 1 as well April 9, 2024, respectively.
Despite this recent outage in May, in the previous month, South Point residents said that they have been solely experiencing power interruptions that have not been reported by City Power. This has caused outrage from students who believe South Point is being secretive about the cause of the interruptions. The students are also concerned about the frequency and how poorly prepared South Point is for them.
The most recent building to go through a power outage was 56 Jorissen, a South Point student accommodation situated across from the Wits Arts Museum. The outage occurred on April 24, and it lasted for three days. Tenants also experienced water issues alongside power outage.
South Point accommodation, 56 Jorissen, and Wits Arts Museum, Braamfontein. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa
A tenant at 56 Jorissen Omolemo Tsomele, a third year LLB student at Wits University, expressed his concerns regarding the frequent power outages. He criticized South Point’s lack of sufficient assistance with the matter, and said that they waited until the electricity returned to help the tenants with food, which was already too late as groceries were affected by the outage. Tsomele also cites 56 Jorissen’s lack of a backup generator was a problem as the outages occur frequently, adding that the generator that is in place only lights up the hallway and keeps the Wifi on.
Earlier in April, a similar experience occurred at another South Point building in 46 de Korte from the 8th of April to the 11th. Sibongiseni Lungani Daniel, a fourth-year Theatre and Performance student at Wits University is a tenant at this accommodation. He expressed that residents at the accommodation did not receive clear communication on the issue.
He claims that South Point only provided food on the third day of the power outage. He said he is unhappy with the minimal efforts that it makes in times of power crises, and he questions why City Power does not have cables readily available to replace the stolen cables, given that it is a recurring issue.
On April 26, 2024, The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) published a statement on Instagram acknowledging the power outage at South Point 56; and stated they met with them that night before. In the same statement, it was said that the power had been restored and that the SRC were working with South Point management to distribute meals to those who were affected.
South Point was unavailable to comment on both instances. When asked about the specific power outages at South Point, City Power referred the publication to X, where they regularly give updates about outages.
FEATURED IMAGE: Braamfontein sign and switched off traffic light. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Music-lovers united to watch a jazz trio groove up the stage at Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall.
The stage was adorned with a gorgeous baby grand piano, a bronze trumpet, and a larger-than-life cello, all waiting to play a tune. The music hall was designed with acoustic architecture and welcoming colours added to the ambience. The stage was awaiting South African trumpet legend, Sydney Mavundla, who was accompanied by Africa Mkhize on keys and Dalisu Ndlazi on strings, to debut his single, Dirge for our fathers.
The stage is set with a grand piano, a shiny trumpet, and an impressive cello. Photo: Victoria Hill
Mavundla “hated the beginning” of his music career, and it took him “quite some time to get into it”. He told Wits Vuvuzela how he “used to come home, drop [his] school bag, and run [away] before [his] dad comes, because if he gets here, it’s ‘let’s go to the trumpet’”. His father was a colonel with the Salvation Army and encouraged Mavundla to join their band.
It was around the age of 14 years, when he began to love the brass instrument. Interestingly, he had auditioned for Wits and got rejected, but soon found a home at the University of Natal, studying under prestigious musicians and creating unique pieces he went on to perform all over the world.
From left to right, Africa Mkhize, Sydney Mavundla, and Dalisu Ndlazi, take a final bow to close their jazz performance. Photo: Victoria HillThe trio in their element, performing a composition called Dirge For Our Fathers. Photo: Victoria Hill
Silence fell over the audience as they waited in anticipation for the first note to sound. The three men looked in their element, waiting for each other’s cues and then, suddenly, a symphony hit everyone’s ears. The audience become one, each in their own bubble interpreting the music as they pleased — an old-school pipe-smoker, a young head-bopper, and a curious foot-tapper.
The first song of the evening paid homage to the time of covid-19 lockdown, when all social circles were broken. The tune was melancholic, with a slow blending of piano, trumpet, and cello sounds. Each musician had a solo which drove home the idea of isolation, yet finding the beauty within it. Now that society has returned to normal, Mavundla says the places available for jazz musicians to share their music is limited, so even though one has music, there is no one for whom to play it.
The next composition was an ode to his daughter, the song recreated her happy and lively nature. The music consisted of high-and-low points and soft-and-loud blends. The three gentlemen were living in the moment, dancing to their own music and smiling at each other whilst performing. The feeling was contagious throughout the audience, with many “whoops” and “yes’s” echoing around the hall.
Contrasting this energy was a composition referring back to Mavundlas’s roots. It was whole-heartedly melancholic, with a contagious silence falling amongst the audience. A general emotion of lost-yet-found was tangible. But, as they transitioned into their next melody, everything gained momentum again, resulting in a sound that has “everything to do with happiness”. The three musicians were sweating at this point — they were playing their instruments with their full bodies and encouraged the audience to feel the beat through their whole bodies too.
Dalisu Ndlazi can be seen emerged in his cello solo, physically exerting his mind, body, and soul. Photo: Victoria Hill
The climax of the evening was when the trio played Dirge for Our Fathers, “paying tribute to all the people who have paved the way for us”. It doubles as a reference to African culture and the importance of the ancestors in life. Mavundla sings “may your soul rest in peace, know that you are so loved, tell all the others the same”. This drove people in the audience to sing and dance their hearts out.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sydney Mavundla on stage performing songs of his own composition. Photo: Victoria Hill
“There are few defining moments in life. And it is without a doubt, that graduation is one of them,” said Dr Eunice Cross, Acting President of the Convocation Executive
These words echoed around the room as the newly awarded graduates sat restlessly in their seats awaiting the chance to leave the Great Hall, at Wits University, to celebrate with their loved ones. While they may cross the stage alone to be conferred, graduates say the help of family, friends and their academic mentors was their propellent during their studies.
Widaad Mahamed with her family prior to her graduation ceremony on April 2, 2024. Photo: Thato Gololo
Wits Vuvuzela’s own, Ruby Delahunt (left) and Victoria Hill (right) after their graduation ceremony on April 2, 2024. Photo: Thato Gololo
There is no time more exciting on a university campus than graduation season. This year, from March 26 to April 05, 2024, throngs of supportive families flooded onto campus with multicolored flowers whose beauty came second only to the graduates themselves. The energy was exciting and infectious, and it is easily my favourite time of the year because beyond the struggle, all you can see is the hope.
Though the journey to reach graduation is always fraught with difficulties, Maureen Masedi advised that “You just think of the bigger picture and the end goal”. Sometimes the bigger picture is lost in the inevitable struggles in the pursuit of a qualification.
From academic and financial exclusion to something as simple as missing a bus, the help we need can come in so many different forms. It didn’t take me long to realise how difficult my undergraduate years would be. I had left my entire support structure across the country, and it left my family feeling powerless to help me on my worst days.
Ambesikhaya Ngobo and his wife Zusiphe Ngobo celebrating his graduation. Photo: Thato Gololo
After my father passed away in my second year, my mother arranged for his gown to be delivered to me so that I could wear it when I finally finished my degree. It took a year longer than it should have, but having a little piece of him with me made me know that if he could do it in the 1980s, I could do it now.
Though he had previously graduated twice at other institutions, Ambesikhaya Ngobo, from the Wits School of Business shared that “Being an alumni here is a long lived dream.” The excitement he shared with his girlfriend who saw him through his postgraduate diploma expressed untold stories of late nights and unwavering support through them.
Nazleen Plaaitjies stressed that each person she brought to graduation, had been individually called during exam season to pray for her. I still classify my undergraduate graduation as perfect. For the same reason as Nazleen, my family and best friends being present was more than icing, it was the cake itself.
All I know is that if I keep promising to write the name of every person who brought me to graduation on the back of my degree, I will run out of space. My community supported my dreams and for that I will forever be grateful.
FEATURED IMAGE: Ali Masedi, who graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, taking a photo with his wife, Maureen Masedi, and Kudos Kudus
“You can take away Kitchener’s and you’re literally taking away Braam,” said DJ, Billy Meliodas of the bar’s closure.
Shockwaves have been sent throughout the street life culture this week, as Kitchener’s Carvery Bar announced their closure due to ‘economic circumstances’.
Kitchener’s Carvery Bar in Braamfontein. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
The pub has been situated in the heart of Braamfontein since the early 1900s and more recently has been an iconic cornerstone of the creative hub of the city. The blue exterior with white pillars draws people in visually, but the music and electric energy are what lure people in and make them loyal patrons. Wits Vuvuzela student journalist, Ruby Delahunt, describes the venue as a “welcoming environment” that “allowed a lot of new DJs to test the waters and start out”.
Kitchener’s truly stands out because of its authenticity and its pursuit of keeping its unique identity. Eddie, a bartender at Kitchener’s said, “Nights where there’s just two customers here, we never said ‘Oh no, maybe we should change our music, maybe we should change business. We never compromised as so many trends came and went’”. He further went on to explain that “it’s always been a huge part of street culture in Braamfontein” and that it’s “given a platform to so many people” including creatives and musicians who were able to express themselves without shame.
Local DJ, Billy Meliodas, went into depth about the impact that Kitchener’s had on his life and Braamfontein as a whole. “The owner of Kitchener’s [Andrew Clement] took me from the street, and he looked after me. Everyone in Kitchener’s is happy…it’s not a place where you can come and find conflict”. He continued, “They’re closing the true heart of Braam…this place is a home to everybody.”
Kitchener’s is one of the last remaining authentic pubs which prioritizes community as Billy and the staffers explained, people could go to the bar on their own with a guarantee that they would walk out having made a friend or two. A final hoorah will be held this long weekend.
Thank you, Kitchener’s for being a home to many. Thank you, Kitchener’s for being a safe space and encouraging people to chase their dreams and just have fun. After March 31, 2024, it will no longer be open, but it will forever be in our minds and hearts. We hope that the energy and symbol that it represented stays with us and the future of Braamfontein.
Chaotic scenes in Braamfontein as two men are fatally shot, another hit by a stray bullet and one is rushed to hospital.
The corner of Jorissen and Bertha streets became a crime scene on February 29, 2024, as an alleged ‘hit’ took place on the busy intersection filled with students and other passersby.
Two men were allegedly targeted while stray bullets hit two University of Johannesburg (UJ) students, one died on the scene and the other was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The students were on a bus believed to be travelling from UJ to Nukerk Student Accommodation in Hillbrow.
The two dead men, believed to be taxi owners, are moved from the BMW they were sitting in when shot at. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
SAPS crime scene manager, Captain Vincent Saunders said: “What we know is two people were shot, these two people are taxi owners. The bus was passing by with students who accidentally got shot as the bullets crossed.” In videos shared on social media, students can be heard screaming and crying moments after the two students were hit.
Dear UJ students.
UJ saddened by the death of its student in a shooting incident
It is with profound sadness that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has learnt of the death of its student, who was caught in crossfire during a shooting incident in Braamfontein this afternoon…
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela shortly after the incident UJ spokesperson, Herman Esterhuizen said “at this stage everything is quite chaotic,” as the university gathered more information.
In a short statement issued on Thursday evening, the university confirmed the tragic death of an “18-year-old male, [who] was a second-year student,” and the recovery of another. Students who were on the bus have been encouraged to seek out counselling services offered internally.
Eyewitnesses say they heard five gunshots in quick succession before assailants ran off and jumped into a getaway car. By the time Wits Vuvuzela got to the scene, the intersection was being cordoned off and and the three lifeless bodies had been covered with repatriation foil.
Family members of one of the deceased did not want to comment but said answers on what may have happened could be found if Wits Vuvuzela contacted Faraday Taxi Association. Calls to the association went unanswered.
FEATURED IMAGE: The body of one of the students caught in the crossfire is carried into a forensic pathology van. The student is yet to be identified. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Various city departments and non-profit organizations in Johannesburg have become entangled in a cycle of shifting responsibility and pointing fingers at each other when issues of homelessness are brought up.
“All that glitters is not gold” is a well known aphorism that conveys the idea that appearances can be deceiving, thus some things are too good to be true. The city of Johannesburg, often dubbed the City of Gold, serves as a vivid illustration of this saying as it grapples with significant disparities stemming from political instability, macro-economic challenges, and persistent social problems.
A typical morning in the bustling streets of Johannesburg is characterised by the noise of car horns, as frustrated taxi drivers weave through traffic, disrupting the flow of traffic. For those who call the pavements on either side of the road home, this commotion is their unwelcome alarm, while the early risers are already up, sifting through garbage bins in search of food or items to exchange for a few coins at recycling centres. This is the daily reality of a homeless person in the city, however, it becomes even more daunting during winter or rainy days.
For some shelters provided refuge, only three government shelters are operational in Joburg. Three Kotze Street Shelter in Braamfontein is the largest, accommodating 350 males and females, followed by the 1 Dan Street shelter which has a bed capacity of 60 for males only and lastly, 21 Windsor West which has a bed capacity for 40 males only.
Despite this, homelessness receives little to no attention in annual budgets and planning, census data cannot even accurately capture the number of people on the streets in the municipality. Consequently, careless estimations have been made, such as when Homeless Solutions, a non-profit organisation based in Pretoria said that there were a combined 600 000 homeless people in Joburg and Tshwane. Africa Check denounced this claim after finding out that it was based on opinion rather than evidence.
Moreover, the municipality releases an Integrated Annual Report where overall city governance such as management, service delivery, financial performance and more are covered. This report also did not have any programmes or funding outlined for displaced persons. Instead, homelessness was identified as a hinderance to the public sector housing plan.
In April 2020, Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi said that Johannesburg had 15 000 homeless people while Tshwane had 10 000. Yet, in a recent interview with News24 the CEO of Johannesburg Homeless Network, Mary Gillet-de Klerk said the number is currently more than 20 000 in Johannesburg.
Evidence shows that the municipality has made no financial investments in statistical research which could help to determine the accurate number of displaced persons. The director of research of the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Sello Mokoena confirmed that there are currently no plans to invest in such research. Therefore, speculations will persist.
On the contrary, the City of Cape Town (CPT) conducted an extensive study which not only found an approximate number but also the racial make-up and health status of its homeless population. This type of research required collaboration between various departments and NGOs and ultimately assisted the local government to plan for this vulnerable group’s basic needs.
Playing the blame game
The departments of Social Development, Financial Development, Human Settlements, Public Safety and Transportation are some of the city’s key drivers of social change. But when questions about shelters, budgets and healthcare for the homeless are raised, the finger pointing begins.
The Johannesburg Department of Social Development (DSD) defines homelessness as “displaced persons who live on the streets, under bridges or open spaces and are unable to provide themselves with shelter at any given time or place.”
The above definition proves that housing is a huge problem, however, Shiraaz Lorgat who oversees social housing funds under Human Settlements said they do not “play in the homelessness space” as they only fund affordable rental projects.
When enquiring about the inadequate health facilities and services provided for homeless people, the deputy director of the District Health Services Dorothy Diale, told Wits Vuvuzela that homeless people are attended by “social development,” but did not comment on the health department’s mandate on displaced persons.
Ultimately, the department of social development acknowledged that they are accountable for the homeless population, but clearly indicated that against popular belief, their mandate is not to remove people from the streets but rather to create awareness and to work closely with those who are willing to be assisted. “Human Settlements is not doing what they should be doing, its mandate is to provide housing, our [social development] mandate is not to build,” said Kebonye Senna, the head of the Migration, Displaced, and Children’s Services Unit in the department.
The lack of accountability propelled the provincial government (Gauteng Department of Social Development) to rely on Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organisations to care for homeless beneficiaries, and allocated R87 million to the NPOs in 2022 and in 2023. Budgetary constraints saw the same allocation two years running.
Nonetheless, during the state of the province address on February 20, 2023, Lesufi announced that R2 billion was allocated to NGOs without specifying whether this was in addition to the R87 million. In response to this, Senna expressed her dissatisfaction and lack of trust for NPOs, noting that the government is wasting money by funding them. She further referenced an article published on November 6, 2023, about corrupt NPOs using resources provided for the poor for their personal benefits. “The money given to NGOs is meant to assist shelters. R 289 000 should be given to 3 Kotze Shelter per month and R 55 000 to 21 Windsor West, but theres only R 20 000 provided for both shelters.”
“If I were Panyaza Lesufi, I was going to stop funding NPOs and take those resources to government departments.”
Kebonye Senna
The 2022 social development policy document on homelessness has an alphabetical list (A-Z) of objectives. Three specific goals stand out. The first states that the department should “institute regular research (every two years) to establish the nature and extent of homelessness in the city”. The second states that the department should “facilitate access to housing through advocacy programmes for the homeless,” and the third that there should be a “special allocation of a percentage of houses to rehabilitated homeless people”. These objectives have not been realised and there are currently no plans in place to pursue them.
The slogan for the Johannesburg Health Department is, “one city, one health system” thus the assumption is that displaced people are included in healthcare services, especially because they are more prone to contagious, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The city has 40 public clinics and hospitals, however, according to a report by the National Institute of Health, homeless patients face discrimination, marginalization and stigma when accessing public hospitals. Moreover, there are no programmes in the department of health tailored to the needs of displaced persons, particularly if they are immigrants or do not have identification documents. For example, the latest HIV counselling and testing policy, dates to December 2003 but does not make mention of homeless people.
Twenty three yearold Sandile Letsoele told Wits Vuvuzela that he does not go to public hospitals because the nurses look down on him and other homeless people. “They’ll just look at you and tell you to stand very far, so we normally wait the whole day before we get help,” said Letsoele.
In partnership with the Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) students established the only clinic for homeless people in South Africa in 2004.
However, the leader of the church, Father Bruce Botha told Wits Vuvuzela that the clinic has not been operating since covid-19 due to “institutional problems” which he did not wish to elaborate on. The Health Sciences Faculty at Wits did not respond to queries around this either. “When it does run, it provides basic health screening, medical consultation, providing free prescription medication, wound dressing and HIV screening,” said Botha.
Attempts at forging a home for homelessness
The issue of stigmatization goes beyond health care facilities, it is also seen in local communities. Senna said that social development looks for hotspots before establishing a shelter, “We tried in Lenasia but there were issues of security, people don’t understand homelessness- they associate it with criminal activities.” She added that they are currently building another shelter in Freedom Park which will accommodate both males and females.
Displaced persons sometimes complain about the accessibility and treatment in NGOs and shelters. Thirty year old Nicholas Mncube, from Zimbabwe said he went to 3 Kotze shelter in Braamfontein, but they refused to take him in without a social worker. “I really don’t know why they wanted me to bring a social worker, but now I’m staying at MES [an NGO for the homeless] which is also here in Braam.” Mncube said staying at MES costs R30 per night which he cannot afford regularly, he can only go on days he has raised enough money from begging.
Apart from this, the homeless also try to forge their own homes, be it on the streets or by occupying abandoned buildings. Mncube who left Zimbabwe at the age of 23 said he lived and slept next to Joburg Theatre but was chased away by the police before going to MES.
Letsoele, who ended up on the streets due to drugs said he stayed at 3 Kotze but they kicked him out before his due time, “I was attending my sessions and recovering but they kicked me out during the weekend when my social worker was not there so I couldn’t even speak to him.” Contrary to this Senna said, the beneficiaries go through a three to six months programme which includes assessments and rehabilitation, and only released once their social worker believes they are ready for the outside world.
Councillor of Braamfontein, Sihle Nguse told Wits Vuvuzela that the homeless affect all sectors “everybody must play a role to assist the homeless, they are such smart guys they deserve a second chance at life”. He added that Braamfontein has approximately 500 displaced people.
Although the health and social development departments are jointly responsible for the city’s homeless pupulation, it is crucial to note the African phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This implies that the upbringing and development of a child are not solely the responsibility of their parents or immediate family. Instead, it suggests that a community, including extended family, neighbours, and friends, play a crucial role in nurturing, guiding, and supporting a child as they grow and learn-this same analogy could be used in the case of homeless persons.
FEATURED IMAGE: Tyrone Korie, a homeless man in Braamfontein packing all his belongings into a plastic bag and getting ready to take a walk. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Despite South Africa’s constitution enshrining that every citizen possesses the right to access social security – a large demographic has been excluded from the social grant system.
While it may appear inconceivable to subsist on a grant of a mere R350 per month, this harsh reality befalls millions of South Africans, who find themselves teetering precariously below the food poverty line, trapped in a crippling dependency on social grants.
Wits Vuvuzela delved into the lives of five South Africans, confronting the stark reality of surviving on that R350 per month. When questioned about how their families manage on such an allowance, a resounding “We don’t!’ echoed around the room. Donavan Du Pelsen (53) lamented, “R11 a day! It works out to R11 a day!” Another recipient chimed in, “A loaf of bread is R12!”
Social security is firmly embedded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Section 27(1)(c) of Act 108 of 1996 stipulates that every South African has the right to access social security, which includes appropriate social assistance for those unable to support themselves and their dependents.
Yet, in a country with a 32.6% unemployment rate, millions of citizens have been excluded from receiving this core socioeconomic right, resulting in 18.3 million South Africans between the ages of 18-59 living below the food poverty line.
The quarterly labour force statistics published by Statistics South Africa for Q2: 2023. Infographic: Terri-Ann Brouwers
Prior to 2020, when the Social Relief of Distress Grant was implemented in response to the covid-19 pandemic, unemployed and able-bodied South Africans between the ages of 18-59 were completely excluded from the social grant system.
The grants which exist in South Africa include the older person’s grant, child support grant, grant in aid, care dependency grant, foster child grant, disability grant and war veterans grant.
According to a study conducted by UNICEF one of the common misconceptions held by policymakers, the media, and stakeholders in general, is that providing social assistance to citizens between the ages of 18-59 will lead to long-term dependency. Those who hold this view think such social assistance will disincentivise active job seekers and promote laziness.
This kind of thinking imagines that social grants should exclusively be allocated to the ‘deserving poor’ while unemployed people of working age are simply not trying hard enough to fight their circumstances.
Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD)
Implemented to help the economically vulnerable South Africans during the pandemic, the SRD grant provided a monthly stipend of R350 afforded to recipients. In the 2023 budget speech finance minister, Enoch Godongwana stated that the grant would be extended until 31 March 2024. Although it was a much welcomed extension, the implementation has less than smooth.
On 27 July 2023, the Pay The Grants campaign and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) sued the government over the unfair exclusion of millions of people from the SRD grant. They also included concerns about “the real terms reduction of the value of the grant.” They stated that while all social grants have increased over time, the SRD grant has remained the same since its implementation in 2020. “Given headline inflation over 6%, the value of the grant has decreased to R294 in real terms. Inflation in the price of food is even higher than headline inflation, having reached over 11%,” read the court documents.
“We would rather have jobs than the R350!”
– Euradiece raiters
Commenting on the exclusion of social grants for people between the ages of 18-59, Pay The Grants chairperson, Elizabeth Raiters, who is also a recipient of the SRD Grant said: “We are not lazy to work. If you [are] over 35 it’s a big struggle to find a job because of your age. So, what happens to us after 35? There’s no grant to support us, we [are] not lazy to work, we are looking for jobs.” Raiters sister, Euradiece Raiters, who is also a recipient of the SRD grant echoed the sentiment, “We would rather have jobs than the R350!”
“There is totally no grant that covers those people, until you get old age (older person’s grant), so for all those years how must you survive?” said Raiters.
Charmaine Martin, another grant recipient and mother, was forced to quit her job when her husband developed a chronic disease which left him dependent on two oxygen tanks and unable to stay home alone. “I have a chronic patient, a daughter that’s 14, no income, we’re waiting for a grant that may never arrive, so in your mind how do you think we’re surviving now at this moment?”
She continued: “Tomorrow, he needs to go to hospital, I don’t have money for him to go to hospital for his appointment.” Martin is receiving a grant of R500 for her daughter, “She’s 14, how much is toiletries? R500 is for toiletries. So where does she eat? Where is she getting clothing from?”
Feeling despondent and out of options Martin said: “I’m at a point now where I want to send my husband to a place where they can help him with his illness, his lungs and everything, and me and my child can go to the shelter and live there… At least at the shelter, we will be able to eat breakfast, lunch and supper.”
Martin is constantly managing her hunger, “I don’t eat [for] like four to five days. I’ll rather buy a grandpa and that will fill me and boost me for the day ahead,” she said.
Valentia Mahlaela (22), an honours in physiology student at Wits University, was a recipient of the SRD grant in 2020 and said she was only able to use the R350 for toiletries. “I used it as my allowance, especially toiletries,” she continues, adding that “I was never granted NSFAS so it helped my folks [parents] a lot.”
Universal Basic Income Grant
Pay The Grants has been campaigning for the government to implement a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) of a minimum of R1500. According to Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice& Dignity Group household affordability index, the average cost of a household food basket is R5124,31.
Commenting on the need for the UBIG to be implemented Pay The Grants said, “Debts are skyrocketing and so is child malnutrition. Rising unemployment is a structural feature of the system, currently 35% overall and 70% for youth without any signs of improvement.”
The organization says that UBIG is a way to restore the basic dignity and survival of most of the country.
An infographic outlining the premise of a universal basic income grant. Infographic: Terri-Ann Brouwers
Although deeply embedded in our constitution, it is clear that a significant portion of South Africans have been left behind when it comes to accessing social grants. One would think that the mother in the Eastern Cape who killed herself and her three daughters due to the extreme poverty they endured, would be a cautionary tale to the government to not only increase the grant amount but also make it more accessible to people of working age. However, this has not been the case. The question stands – how many more tragedies must occur before all South Africans’ constitutional rights are met?
FEATURED IMAGE: South Africa is confronted with a striking dependence on social grants, yet millions have been left out of the social security system. Photo: Terri-Ann Brouwers
For students starting their studies at Wits University, there is no greater convenience than living a walking distance away from campus. However, the price of that convenience is slowly driving students away.
At the beginning of 2023, Wits University’s daily operations were partially stopped by the #WitsShutdown. The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) mobilised students to protest against unaffordable accommodation amongst other issues.
In 2021, the most affordable room at a Wits residence – a four-bedroom flat at Braamfontein Centre – cost R45 966 per annum. Just two years later, the price has gone up by R5 820 and it now costs R51 786 per annum. This fee increase and a R45 000 cap on accommodation allowances by National Student Financial Aid Scheme, have made it difficult for students to find housing in and around Wits.
Living at a Wits residence
As of 2022, there were 41 794 students enrolled at Wits. Of those students, only 15% of them can be accommodated by the 17 Wits residence buildings in and around the Braamfontein and Parktown campuses.
To make matters worse, nine out of the 17 residences give priority to first-year students and other undergraduate students, two are strictly for postgraduate students and the remaining six residences accommodate irrespective of ones year of study.
Before this year’s protests, students were required to pay a compulsory initial installment of R10 000 before moving into a Wits residence. This is separate from the 10-month rental price, ranging from R41 786 for a shared room to R99 077 for a single studio apartment.
There are two types of residences at Wits, catered and self-catered residences. Self-catered students are provided with communal and individual kitchens, while catered students eat at the five dining halls across the Braamfontein and Parktown campuses.
Catered students pay for both accommodation and meals. The meal prices range from R18 720 for ten meals per week, to R34 570 for 19 meals per week. Students have three meals per day during the week and only twice per day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Living at a private residence
To address the 85% shortfall, Wits approved 69 privately owned residences that range from at least 22m to 4.9km away from either Braamfontein or Parktown campus. All private residences are for students that cater for themselves and depending on the ownership, some provide buses that transport students to and from campus.
Rates at a private residence differ from the rates at a Wits residence. For example, living in a Southpoint student accommodation building would cost at least R38 680 for a room shared by three people and up to R97 650 for a single studio apartment, on a 10-month lease. This excludes the once-off R1 100 registration fee.
Some private residences like Apex Studios make students buy their own electricity when their monthly coupons run out. Others don’t have backup generators for loadshedding, this includes Wits residences that are off campus in Braamfontein, namely Noswal Hall, Amani House and Braamfontein Centre.
Private residences accommodate 21 539 students, and most of those are students heavily reliant on bursaries and sponsorships. According to a report by Wits, “More than 27 000 students Wits students are fortunate to receive funding for a portion of their fees and other expenses from a broad base of external funders.”
The crisis
On December 5, 2022, the CEO of Universities South Africa (USaf), Dr Phethiwe Matutu released a media statement to announce that NSFAS proposed to cap accommodation allowances at R45 000. This was done “to mitigate the escalating cost of student accommodation,” the statement read.
Students across universities in South Africa were denied places to stay because of the cap. The cap created a shortfall in accommodation fees for most students. A shortfall students could also not afford to cover. Many students left their homes only to find that they would be sleeping in libraries and outside accommodation offices when they came to university.
SRC Compliance Officer, Karabo Matloga (20) told Sunday Times that he stays at Apex Studio – which is 22m away from Wits’ main campus. He has his own fridge but shares a kitchen and bathroom with three other people. That costs him R52 500 on a 10-month lease, leaving him having to cover the outstanding R7 500. Fortunately for Matloga, his mother helps him cover the balance. Matloga is one of the 10 000 students covered by NSFAS, but what about the other 9 999?
Moreover, NSFAS has defunded 559 students since the beginning of the second semester in July 2023. Funds were stopped immediately and fees already covered reversed, leaving those students stranded in the middle of the academic year.
Gloria Mokoena (25) *, a third-year Wits physics student told Wits Vuvuzela, “It seems like a lot of people do not know why NSFAS is [defunding us]” because “I was told our household income is more than R350k,” she said. According to Mokoena, this is not true because her father passed on when she was still young, and her mother is the only breadwinner in the house.
Mokoena said that she has now had to resort to camping in the library and showering in the gym. “If I travel every day, I will not have enough money for food during the day because it is just enough for transport,” she said.
Postgraduate students are also affected by this accommodation crisis. Recipients of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Honours funding were only able to move into student accommodations after the academic calendar had already started. While Wits opened on February 21, students only started receiving feedback on the status of their applications on March 8. Students cannot move into a residence without a letter that proves that the student is funded or will be able to afford the fees.
In March of this year, the financial aid scheme promised to intervene when students are denied accommodation over the cap but plans for next year are yet to be known, and no permanent solution has been applied to this crisis.
*Name changed to protect identity
FEATURED IMAGE: Some of the homeless students are squatting at Wits residences and private student accommodation. Photo: File
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