David Abel of Likud-SA claims the Zionist lobby influenced Wits University’s disciplinary process against the Wits 11 who were charged with disruption of the Yossi Reshef concert last year. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
Claims by Zionist organisation, Likud-SA, to have influenced the outcome of the disciplinary hearings of the Wits 11 have been rubbished by vice-chancellor Prof Adam Habib.
In an article published in the Cape Jewish Chronicle, David Abel was quoted as saying that the South African Zionist movement had “strongly influenced the suspension of the Wits 11 students involved in the disruption of the Yossi Reshef concert.”
In response, Habib called the claims by Abel “nonsense.”
Habib maintains that “Wits has too many diverse voices to be influenced by a single stakeholder. I cannot account for what other organisations claim. The delusions of others must be their responsibility, not ours,” he said.
Abel, national vice-chairman of Likud SA, is quoted as saying that against “the background of rising anti-Semitism worldwide and Israel being threatened by a potential nuclear Iran,” South African Zionism is claiming a number of victories “by inflicting damaging blows against the enemies of Israel.”
One of those victories, claims Abel, was influencing the disciplinary hearings of the Wits 11 which resulted in 80 hours of community service for 10 of the students and 130 for Tokelo Nhlapo.
Members of the Wits SRC, Muslim Students Association, Wits Palestinian Solidarity and the Progressive Youth Alliance stormed the stage of the concert during a closed event on March 12 and chanted their support for Palestine.
“Wits has too many diverse voices to be influenced by a single stakeholder. I cannot account for what other organisations claim. The delusions of others must be their responsibility, not ours,”
Abel referred to pro-Zionist forces, including Jewish and Christian Zionist individuals and organisations, opposition parties, the South African Jewish press, students, sponsors and donors as having had an impact on the university’s decision.“Maybe not all of them were involved in the incident but they were at the same university,” Abel told Wits Vuvuzela. “They were also involved in the Yossi Reshef incident.”
He called it (the guilty verdict) a “wise decision” and added, “I have confidence that the university went through all the correct procedures. I’m quite happy about that.”
When asked about the students’ refusal to complete their community service hours (with the exception of one), he said, “[Their defiance] is strange to me. The university has certain rules, in my day one would never defy authority. It’s a defiance I don’t understand.”
The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has lifted a ban on blood donation by gay men. Certain high risk categories of potential donors though, remained banned. Photo: Wits Vuvuzela.
Gay men across South Africa are now permitted to donate blood, according to shift in policy at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).
A new “non-discriminatory” SANBS policy now considers those in monogamous homosexual relationships as eligible but there is still a restriction on certain high risk categories of potential donors.
Those with a new sexual partner, or multiple partners are not allowed to donate, regardless of their sexuality, as the risk of HIV/AIDS infection is too large.
Those with a new sexual partner, or multiple partners are not allowed to donate, regardless of their sexuality, as the risk of HIV/AIDS infection is too large, according to the SANBS.
Previously, only those who had been in heterosexual monogamous relationships for over six months were allowed to donate blood.
“As an organisation that is consistently improving the way we screen donors, and test the blood collected, SANBS together with the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) … have been working … to relook at the donor acceptance criteria with regards to the South African community,” read a SANBS press release.
The amendment to the questionnaire someone has to complete when donating blood on the definition of a sexual act has been altered, removing the question on male to male sex. The new policy will “address sexual risk, in that any sexual act or contact with a NEW partner/s during the preceding six months will be deemed a risk to the safety of blood supply, irrespective of the personal sexual orientation or preference”.
The previous policy existed as a result of international trends which sought to address the high rate of HIV-infection in South Africa.
Dawie Nel, a member of OUT, an organisation serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, is very happy with the SANBS’s announcement. He said, “Our argument was that it’s not about gay identity, but about risky behaviour and I hope it will encourage more gay men to donate blood.”
A screengrab from SRC member Sarah Mokwebo’s Facebook account. SRC member Vuyisani Kuboni says “we are going to attack him [Mighti]. Photo: Provided
SRC member Jamie Mighti has accused fellow council members and leaders of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) of threatening to “attack” and “klap” him.
“He stated that they would ‘attack me’ and in addition, in a vernacular language, stated that I would ‘shit myself’.”
Mighti said he received the “threats” pertaining to his political views and opinions via social media earlier this year. He then blocked SRC clubs and societies officer Sarah Mokwebo onTwitter who he said had made some of the threats.
Last week, upon realising that Mighti had blocked her on Twitter, Mokwebo commented on Facebook “Comrades Jammie [sic] blocked me on Twitter :’D”.
Fellow SRC member Vuyisani Kuboni commented on her status update “unyile [he is going to shit himself] us are going to attack him!!…”
Mokwebo said her Facebook and Twitter profiles were her “personal accounts” and had nothing to do with the SRC. She refused to comment further to Wits Vuvuzela explaining, “I have nothing to say to you people”. Kuboni could not be reached for comment on the alleged threats.
“He stated that they would ‘attack me’ and in addition, in a vernacular language, stated that I would ‘shit myself’’,” said Mighti. He said that he approached Mokwebo and Kuboni for an explanation but they did not respond.
Godfrey Maja, a member of the PYA, also attacked Mighti over Twitter. “…where your actions dictate that a good klap be deployed. Yes it’s fine to not only threaten but deliver too!”
According to Zambian-born Mighti, the attacks on him were “xenophobic rhetoric”. Mighti said he was concerned the SRC will not be able to “conduct ourselves as student activists in the political space while we continue to receive explicit threats from rival organisations.”
But Maja criticised Mighti’s claims of threats and victimhood calling them a “political tool”.
“A game is when u make your safety a political tool to gain sympathy. We know ur tricks. U will fool children,” Maja said on Twitter.
On Tuesday, Mighti contacted Vice Chancellor Adam Habib, Dean of Students Pamela Dube and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Tawana Kupe complaining about the situation and asked them to “take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety of students in the political space and to deal with those who see it fit to threat, intimidate and harass their political opponents.”
On Wednesday a small group of ANC supporters rallied behind their party by dancing near the Old Mutual Sports Hall where the Wits voting station was. The singing was so loud that potential voters heard them while standing in line to vote. Photo: Luke Matthews
Roxanne Joseph and Thabile Manala
Bright and early on Wednesday morning, well before the polls had even opened, many students gave up their holiday slumber to join the long, snaking lines to cast their vote at Wits at the Old Mutual Sports Hall, on Education Campus and in their own neighbourhoods.
Despite the reported apathy among the youth, a large number of first-time voters came out to mark their ‘X’ at Wits.
Others trickled in steadily throughout the day and the lines remained long right up until the polls closed at 9pm.
“I like the numbers and am very impressed with the turnout at Wits,” said Mcebo Sisulu, an honours student in mathematical statistics.
He admitted that he was nervous about the elections and the apparent lack of enthusiasm of the youth.
Born-frees stepped up despite apathy
In the days and months leading up to the elections, the media became fascinated by the born-free generation, those who were born after South Africa became a democracy in 1994.
They were expected to not make a difference to the results, as they only made up 2.5% of the 25 million registered voters, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Only about a third of born-frees had even registered to vote.
Earlier in the week, Wits Vuvuzela spoke to a number of born-frees, many of whom were choosing not to vote due to a general sentiment of apathy.
“I’m not inspired enough to vote,” said Zongezile Qeba, 2nd year Chemical Engineering. He said his generation wanted to “forget about the past”.
“Maybe it’s because the educated, young people are more politicised and more likely to vote.”Prof Daryl Glaser
Despite being well aware of the country’s history, many born-frees have little faith in our politicians and political engagement is not a big priority for many.
But the apathetic young were nowhere to be seen on election day, where thousands of first-time voters showed up to stand in long queues at Wits from the early hours of Wednesday to long after the sun had set.
When asked how her first-time voting was, third-year law student Boitumelo Rammala said, “It was amazing. I’m going to do it every time, over and over again.”
“I was excited, because it was my first time and all,” said fourth-year law student Lethokuhle Ntombela.
Prof Daryl Glaser, head of the politics department, said student turnout at Wits was encouraging, despite registration being disappointing amongst the youth as a whole.
“[The turnout of first-time voters] was encouraging. Maybe it’s because the educated, young people are more politicised and more likely to vote,” Glaser said.
SRC president Shafee Verachia set the example when he was caught by Wits Vuvuzela helping his 86-year-old grandmother to the voting station in Malboro Gardens. A first-time voter himself, Verachia said he was voting for the South Africans who participated in the struggle to liberate the nation.
“Personally, it’s about honouring the generation before me, they made the sacrifices for me to have this right to make this vote today,” he said.
The reactions that Wits Vuvuzela got from some of the voters after casting their votes ranged between nervousness and disbelief.
First-year Bracken Hall was unsure he made the right choice with his vote. “I am not a 100% [sure] but, like, any change is a good change,” Hall said.
“It’s great it’s just that I don’t know if I made the right choice… I can’t believe I did that. I actually did not vote for the ANC”, said Wits alumnus Thulani Dyasi.
Muzi Mbatha said: “ I voted for the EFF … I also think I exercised my right to vote.”
Voting out of obligation
Many of the youth were torn between voting out of obligation to the ANC, with their history in mind, and voting for another party. “It’s not difficult for people to be very conflicted by this. People have a strong connection to the ANC,” said Prof Devan Pillay. “Many are conflicted because of their performance and especially because of the current president, [Jacob] Zuma. We don’t have a credible opposition,” he said.
“It’s the classic abused-wife syndrome. It fits in perfectly with people’s attitudes of the ANC. People always go back and are always hoping for change.”
According to Pillay, university students are, as potential members of the middle class, easily sold on all the gains brought by the ANC, such as being able to go to Wits. “Getting them to think differently is a bit of a crisis.”
Glaser said the turnout at Wits is an indication of a more positive future in political engagement for the youth.
“Each generation brings a certain set of strengths to politics. The young bring energy and idealism,” said Glaser.
“They have the longest horizon in the future to look forward to. They should start thinking about how they want to shape it.”
Having spent most of my life in Cape Town, I was surprised by how quickly I fell in love with Jo’burg.
The vibe, the people and place itself are fun, friendly and exciting – the perfect place for an ambitious, wide-eyed 20-something to build a life. I moved here just over two years ago and, for about a week, was too paranoid even to leave my house – but only because my friends and family had told me about how “dangerous and hostile” Jo’burg could be.
I got over it very quickly, though, and for two years, was unaffected by crime. I had become too complacent too quickly to consider that it would ever happen to me.
They say bad things usually happen in threes and my first encounter with (Jo’burg) crime came almost two months ago. A guy smashed my car window and nearly took my phone. (I, stupidly, had been waving it about in broad daylight, in the middle of town.) I was freaked out, but learnt my lesson: Be more mindful of what is going on around me.
“They say bad things usually happen in threes.”
Last week, two days after one of my classmates was mugged on campus, I nearly got hijacked. This time, it was a lot more serious, but my beloved Yaris and I escaped (mostly) unscathed. Not even 48 hours later, I was mugged in Braamfontein.
Both times, a gun was unceremoniously shoved in my face.
My initial reaction was anger, and then a lasting wave of fear. The problem is that I live, study, work and socialise this side of town and suddenly, I found myself wanting to retreat back to the other side of the highway, where I’d be surrounded by harmless old Jewish ladies and 24-hour security everywhere I went.
But, if I allow this incredibly bad stroke of luck to start defining me and controlling my life, then I’ll be going against everything I stand for. It would be easier to give up and admit defeat. I could no longer feel safe leaving the confines of home, walking to my car at night or leaving varsity late after covering a story. But I can’t and I won’t.
This isn’t because I believe in the greater good, positive energy and all that, but rather because I understand (but don’t condone) why crime is so prevalent throughout South Africa.
I could never imagine myself settling anywhere else in the world. This is my home and I love it, even when really bad things happen.
Were it not for such a massive gap between the rich and the poor, if inequality had not come to epitomise life in this country, then those three men who managed to make me feel so small and helpless would not have been so desperate to act out.
If we had politicians who cared about us and a more effective justice system, then murder, rape and theft would not be so typical of life in South Africa.
So while I hope never to bear the brunt of crime again, my perception of this country hasn’t changed and I’ll continue to (try to) fight the good fight.
NO TO CENSORSHIP: Protesters outside the SABC building at today’s Right2Know protest against censorship. Photo: Lutho Mtongana
Right2Know’s protest outside the SABC in Auckland Park earlier today brought together a number of different organisations concerned with the issue of censorship at the national broadcaster.
Supporters from NUMSA (the National Union of Metal Workers), the Voices of the Poor of Concerned Residents of South Africa, along members of the general public gathered outside the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) building to challenge the “rot and irregularities,” at the broadcaster.
These were the words of Dinga Sikwebu, the National Education Coordinator of NUMSA, who added that “the SABC is turning into the state broadcasting megaphone for Luthuli House.”
The protest was held ahead of World Press Freedom Day tomorrow which celebrates the “hard fought freedoms achieved by journalists,” according to Dale McKinley, spokesperson of R2K. “We believe [these are] being violated by our public broadcaster … we are raising concerns about threats to these freedoms.”
The SABC has come under criticism recently with the banning of political adverts from ANC-opposition parties. In both cases, these decisions were upheld by ICASA, the broadcasting regulator.
The SABC focuses predominantly on ANC-related news, according to Sikwebu. “Yesterday was May Day and there were all the rallies, other than Vavi, everyone depicted on the [SABC] news was from the ANC.”
Protesters taped their mouths in protest against censorship. Photo: Lutho Mtongana
“What the SABC does is not right,” said spokesperson Eunice Manzini, of the Voices of the Poor of Concerned Residents of South Africa. She referred to the lack of broadcasting airtime given to those living in the townships and said, “The SABC must be a public broadcaster and not for the rich only.”
The 3rd May 2014 marks twenty three years since the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic Media which was developed by African journalists in the spirit of press freedom.
The ANC’s Minister Ebrahim Patel, eNCA’s host Jeremy Maggs and the DA’s Tim Harris at last night’s final Wits Great Debate. Photo: Bongiwe Tutu
With just five days until the national general elections, Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Tim Harris punted job creation at last night’s Wits Great Debate.
This was the final event in a series of five, titled “The final countdown,” with both speakers focusing on their parties’ plans for economic growth.
[pullquote]“Cutting corruption leads to jobs for all”[/pullquote]
“Our plan is to create six million real jobs,” said Harris, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Finance. “Cutting corruption leads to jobs for all.”
Patel, an African National Congress (ANC) MP, challenged Harris’ attempts to discredit the ANC’s track record in job creation. He argued that StatsSA has information showing the success of the ANC’s job creation initiatives. “The information is publicly available, I suspect the information is very embarrassing and therefore the DA has chosen not to publicise it,” he said.
When asked by Patel if the DA will reach its target of 30% Harris responded by saying that they [the DA] “the fastest growing party since 1994.”
Last elections, they got 16.7% of the vote, nationally and this election are aiming for “significantly more than that,” according to Harris.
Neither of them would commit to a specific number, although the ANC is aiming for a two thirds majority, according to Patel. Both spoke of growth and overwhelming support for their respective parties, constantly making reference to job creation.
While the DA’s “upbeat, positive” plan is to create six million real jobs, according to Harris, the ANC plans to “build on the strength of what we’ve done well and learn from our mistakes,” according to Patel.
Both Harris and Patel “blinded us all with very elegant statistics,” said debate host, Jeremy Maggs. He asked both representatives to explain exactly how their parties plan on creating “six million real jobs.” Both avoided directly answering the question and instead continued to emphasise the importance of job creation.
Harris told Wits Vuvuzela after the debate that theirs (DA) was a three-tiered plan which involves reforming the labour laws and ensuring that workers have a say as to when they go on strike. This will enable “businesses to grow and hire more workers,” he said.
ANC and DA supporters at last night’s final installment in the Wits Great Debate series. Photo: Anazi Zote
As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy, the question of how free a country we are remains up in the air. For some, their lives haven’t changed all that much. They can still go wherever they want without question, pick and choose where they go to school, get a good education and generally speaking, live a nice, comfortable life.
But for many- in fact, most, this is not the case. While apartheid laws may have fallen away, the majority of South Africans still live in poverty, do not receive free and quality education and do have access to basic, fundamental rights, including healthcare, safety and security, and housing.
Achievements and failures of SA post-apartheid
Economically speaking, the government has built up its economic policies, but let’s be honest, how much worse could it possibly get than it was during apartheid, when the international community was placing sanctions on South Africa left, right and centre? For the sake of positivity and “looking forward”, let’s just say that our economy is doing relatively well on the whole.
[pullquote]How can I celebrate Freedom Day when so many of my generation didn’t get the opportunities that I did?[/pullquote]
When it comes to education, on the other hand, the ANC-led government has failed abysmally. In 2011, the Department of Basic Education released a report in which it stated the following statistics:
-3 544 schools do not have electricity.
-2 402 schools have no water supply.
-913 do not have any ablution facilities while 11 450 schools are still using pit latrine toilets.
-Over 400 schools in the Eastern Cape are classified as “mud-schools”, many of them consisting of mud and shacks.
While our Constitution prescribes a free and equal education for all, the government has failed to deliver, and, after fighting for almost six years, the minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga finally signed a legally binding document called the Minimum Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure. She has been given exactly one year to ensure that these norms and standards are applied to every (government) school in the country.
Despite that small achievement, the issue of a lack of qualified potential employees still remains. An inadequate education system has led to a generation who lack the skills and ability to further their education and many have become reliant on government hand-outs. As well as affecting individuals, this will in time have a negative effect on the economy, when we are not able to compete globally.
Dozens of NGOs continue to fight for basic fundamental rights, especially in the township areas. In these areas, home invasions, theft, gangsterism, rape and murder are rife. Residents have to walk for several kilometres to go to the toilet and sometimes, those late night trips result in violent attacks and crime sprees.
[pullquote]Apartheid may have ended 20 years ago, but South Africa still has a long way to go before we can feel free to celebrate freedom.[/pullquote]
Then there’s public service and the healthcare system. HIV/AIDS has become the number one killer across Africa in the past two decades and South Africa is no exception. While anti-retrovirals (ARVs) have become readily available to those who need it, a lack of education, a stigma attached to the illness and inadequate public service delivery (largely due to corruption) hinder the entire process and people continue to die, untreated, on a daily basis.
Inequality, the biggest problem of them all
Finally, there’s the issue of inequality. As a white- middle-class student I am not actively affected by it. I have all I need and probably always will. But, as a registered voter in this year’s elections and a proud South African, I see and feel the effects of inequality every single day. How can I celebrate Freedom Day when so many of my generation didn’t get the opportunities that I did? When I’ve visited schools with 100 children in a class? When my childhood home is just kilometres away from a township? When I look into the face of a homeless man, woman or child at every traffic light I drive through?
All of these reasons (and many, many more) make it difficult to feel as if we are a truly free, equal and democratic society. Apartheid may have ended 20 years ago, but South Africa still has a long way to go before we can feel free to celebrate freedom.
As the new kid on the block, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have been getting a lot of press—good and bad- fighting to become a recognised society at Wits. Roxanne Joseph spoke to Mbe Mbhele, the coordinator of Wits EFF, and asked him…
What are your thoughts on a possible coalition between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the EFF?
I don’t think it’s possible, because the DA fundamentally stands opposed to everything the EFF stands for. As Julius Malema said, “the EFF has only one objective in these elections, and that is to win.”
Are you a recognised society yet?
We are now a recognised society on campus. We applied and the SRC approved our application a week or two ago. SRC president Shafee Verachia stated we are now an official society at Wits.
What do you think of the SRC’s initial reaction to the EFF’s application?
The SRC stated they would not allow us to be a recognised society. They were hostile towards us and still are because we threaten the same constituency that they represent.
In the upcoming SRC elections, are you going to put candidates forward and what’s your plan in doing so?
Our conditions on the ground will determine whether or not we have EFF people in the elections. I don’t see a reason why not, though. We are for the advancement of students and in order to achieve the objectives we want to achieve, such as free and quality education for all, we need to operate within the structures [at Wits].
What do you think your presence has been like on campus and what are your plans for the next two weeks, in the run up to the elections on May 7?
We’ve been doing a lot of door-doors. Each and every conversation that we have involves campaigning and canvassing to vote for the EFF. There is a possibility that national leadership, like Floyd [Shivambu, EFF Commissar and Chief of Staff] will join us in our visits and on campus.
Does the PYA still have a presence on campus?
I think it’s unfair to speak of them, as we are focused on our own objectives, but I have not seen the PYA on campus this year. We, on the other hand, have been present and achieved things for students. For example, we opened up applications for all clubs and societies who were also denied recognition.
Do you think that will get you more votes?
Look, the response has been overwhelming. You walk around campus in your red beret and people come up to you, they want to know what the EFF is all about. We will get a lot of votes from students, as a microcosm of society.
Sell the EFF to students and young voters out there.
The EFF recognises that before we are students, we are members of communities. We are only in university for four years, but then we go out and get jobs in the real world. We need to be active participants in the economy, so our presence is not just within the borders of university. We stand for free and quality education for all, which directly relates to all students. The price of education is being commodified and students cannot afford a decent meal in the Matrix because it is outsourced. There are many issues we want to deal with on campus.
Doug Frantz, a former journalist of 35 years speaks to the Wits journalism department .Photo: Luke Matthews
“A few people can make a difference in journalism,” according to Doug Frantz, assistant secretary of state for public affairs in the USA.
Frantz, who previously worked for former Senator John Kerry, spoke to the Wits Journalism department in Johannesburg today, as part of his visit to South Africa.
Addressing staff and students, the former journalist reflected on his 35 year long career where he worked at the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and New York Times.
[pullquote]“If your mother says she loves you, check it out.” This is at the core value of what democracy asks of you as a journalist.[/pullquote]
Describing his current position in government in relation to his previous work as journalist, Frantz said. “I’m the guy who comes in when there are nasty, controversial or important stories to be heard, when I use my credibility [as a former journalist].”
He said that he simultaneously serves the state department and administration and the journalists themselves, because “there is nothing worse than getting your facts wrong”. Frantz said one of the first things he learnt as a journalist is: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out. This is at the core value of what democracy asks of you as a journalist.”
One thing he encouraged young journalists in training to do is “retain the ability for the sources you deal with to trust you”. At the same time, he expects politicians to “never lie to the press.” It is a relationship that can survive only on trust.
He admitted to sometimes wishing he was still a journalist and values the years he spent as a reporter in particular. “If you pick a job you love,” he said, “you’ll never work a day in your life.” Frantz
When asked to compare South African and American media he said: “South Africa has a vigorous and largely free press. In the US we’ve been at it a little longer and it is embedded in our DNA to push a little harder.”
Our job as journalists is to put forward facts, not without judgement but without bias, Frantz said. “It’s the coolest job in the world.”
In 2002, Frantz was part of the The New York Times team who won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy.
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, […]
