The Red My Lips campaign hosted every year in April to show support and encourage men and women to stand in solidarity against sexual violence was supported by Witsies this year. Here are 5 facts telling you more about the campaign.
If anyone was wondering whether there is a new red-lip frenzy on the rise, the “Red My Lips” campaign is the reason women have been pouting a little more this April. The campaign is not an opportunity for ladies to paint on red lipstick and embrace their inner diva, as many may think, but stand in solidarity against sexual violence. The campaign, which has spread worldwide, takes place in Sexual Assault Awareness month (April) to support rape victims.
Below are 5 facts about the “Red My Lips” campaign:
1. What is “Red My Lips”?
The “Red My Lips” campaign aims to create global awareness about the realities and prevalence of sexual violence, while trying to fight rape myths and stop victim-blaming.
This image was used as the campaign’s trademark to inspire others to join the cause. Photo: Facebook.
2. When and why the campaign began, and by who?
The campaign began in 2011 by an American rape survivor, Danielle Tansino. She started the campaign due to the absence of family support and after she realised her perpetrator would not be prosecuted when a female district attorney told her: “Jurors don’t like girls that drink.” She has also campaigned to get men involved.
3. How far has the campaign spread?
The campaign has gained support in over 95 countries, including Australia, South Africa and India and Vietnam.
Red My Lips tweeted this image to indicate the support received from countries around the world. Photo: Twitter.
4. Why red lips?
“The societal idea of red lips is prostitution and women looking for trouble,” said Charlene Beukes, investigation and advocacy officer at the Wits Gender Equity Centre. Red lipstick violates this notion and is used to portray a bold statement and signify solidarity and support for victims of sexual violence. Founder, Tansino said “wearing red lipstick allows us all to stand in solidarity with survivors and refuse to be invisible … refuse to be silent.”
Witsies showed their support for the cause in April. Photo: Provided.
5. What has Wits done to support the campaign?
Wits University hosted the #RedMyLips event on campus two weeks ago. The event was attended by manyWitsies including VoW FM, the Golden Key Society, SRC members, the VC, Professor Adam Habib and deputy VC, Tawana Kupe and male and female Witsies.
Wits guys also joined in to show their support at the event. Photo: Provided.
Witsies wrote message of encouragement and support for sexual violence victims. Photo: Provided.
BACK IN: SRC President Mcebo Dlamini has been re-instated as a member of the SRC after being suspended. Photo: Tendai Dube
Mcebo Dlamini has been reinstated as a member of the SRC and is back as president—for now.
Dlamini was seen back in the SRC offices and at the Law School Election Council elections on Wednesday
Dlamini was charged with “assault” and insulting senior members of the university staff via emails last year. One of the charges stem from an email sent to the head of Residence Life, Rob Sharman.
The two charges were later combined into a single charge presented at the disciplinary hearing on February 27, where he was found guilty. Dlamini was then suspended from the SRC.
He announced his resignation as SRC President on Facebook on February 28 but, hours later, deleted the posts.
However, earlier this week Dlamini announced he had been reinstated as an SRC member and SRC president.
Dlamini announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning that his “suspension had been lifted” by Vice Chancellor Prof Adam Habib who he thanked for “doing the right thing”.
“In short I still remain as the Wits SRC President,” Dlamini said.
Habib confirmed that Dlamini had been reinstated pending a review of Dlamini’s hearing.
“In short I still remain as the Wits SRC President.”
“On an application from him [Dlamini], I suspended his termination from the SRC for two weeks until the review of his hearing is complete,” Habib said. “Otherwise we may have to revise the decision again and it would be disruptive. Now, we can make a final decision within the next two weeks.”
Throughout Dlamini’s suspension, resignation and reinstatement, his fellow Progressive Youth Alliance members have been studiously silent on the issue, refusing to comment publically.
SRC deputy president Shaeera Kalla told Wits Vuvuzela she “was not in a position to comment about Dlamini”.
Wits Vuvuzela has also attempted dozens of times over the past 10 days to contact Dlamini via emails, texts, phone, voicemails, whatsapps and even handwritten notes—all without success.
Wits Vuvuzela was at last able to make an appointment with Dlamini on Wednesday afternoon to finally get his side of the story. However, Dlamini did not pitch.
When contacted about the missed interview he replied via whatsapp: “As we speak I am at UJ attending a graduation.”
Witsies have spoken of their “disbelief” as they witnessed criminals mugging motorists and attacking fellow students in and around Braamfontein.
A group of four men have been targeting cars waiting in traffic next to Noswall Hall residence on Jan Smuts avenue this past week.
A male student, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the men running into traffic on Tuesday afternoon and initially could not understand what they were doing. Soon after, he saw them approach a car with its windows down.
“They reached in and stole his valuables. I got scared and realised they were mugging people in their cars who were stuck in traffic. I thought I’d be next so I just ran away,” he said.
Student Funeka Sibande said she had a similar experience last week when she was standing with a friend outside Noswall Hall.
“They came out of nowhere and were running between cars mugging people inside the cars. Two went to the passenger doors and two to the driver’s door taking anything they could see. I was in disbelief,” she said.
When they came back one of the muggers said: “We are not here for you guys.”
According to Sibande the mugger said: “We are targeting privileged people and whites in good cars.”
Minutes later they mugged “a white man in a Jeep who had his windows down”, Sibande said.
“They came out of nowhere and were running between cars mugging people inside the cars. Two went to the passenger doors and two to the driver’s door taking anything they could see. I was in disbelief.”
“We got away after that, they were dangerous. People need to be careful. Don’t leave your windows down and please don’t leave valuables where they can be seen,” she said.
This is just one of several muggings and “smash and grabs” that have been taking place in various areas around Braamfontein over the last two weeks.
Wits security and liaison manager, Lucky Khumela, said he was not aware of the gang outside Noswall Hall but would warn Wits security to be on the lookout and “increase security” in the area. He said he would also alert police in the area.
“Don’t leave your valuables. Lock your laptops and bags in your boot and keep cellphones out of sight. There is a rise in sporadic crimes in the area and we will do everything we can to keep our students safe,” he said.
Last week a red Volkswagen Polo was targeting students on Smit, Jorissen and Simmonds streets.
The vehicle is believed to have been involved in at least five muggings around the Braamfontein and Wits area.
On Saturday a female student was mugged of her cellphone by one of the assailants who distracted her and then climbed into the waiting red Polo driven by an accomplice and the two of them drove off.
The student ran to a guard who alerted other members of security in the area. According to Khumela, one of the security guards then saw the Polo waiting at a red traffic light on Simmonds street.
“He grabbed a metal pole and hit the back window and the side of the car as a way of trying to stop them from getting away,” said Khumela.
The car managed to get away but has not been seen in the area since.
Professor Adam Habib told Wits Vuvuzela that the decision to lift the suspension was not a final overturning of the ruling.
“On an application from him [Dlamini], I suspended his termination from the SRC for two weeks until the review of his hearing is complete,” he said, “Otherwise we may have to revise the decision again and it would be disruptive. Now, we can make a final decision within the next two weeks.”
Professor Andrew Crouch, the deputy vice-chancellor: academic also confirmed Habib’s sentiments.
“I can confirm that the vice chancellor agreed to suspend the termination of the SRC membership of Mr Mcebo Dlamini pending the outcome of an appeal against the proceedings,” Crouch said a short while ago.
Dlamini was unable to speak to Wits Vuvuzela but a Facebook account in his name confirmed the VC’s decision.
According to a status update on the account this morning, Dlamini received an email from Habib who lifted his “suspension from office as president with immediate effect”.
“In short, I still remain the Wits SRC president for 2014/2015,” he wrote in the post.
Crouch added that Dlamini is allowed to return as a member of the SRC but was not re-instated as president by the university.
“The VC did not re-instate Mr Dlamini as SRC president, but suspended the termination of his SRC membership. It is up to the SRC to determine continuation of his Presidency of the SRC.”
Deputy president of the SRC, Shaeera Kalla said she was not in a position to comment at this stage.
Dlamini was originally charged with two counts of “assault” at disciplinary hearing on February 27. He was given a suspended sentence of expulsion and subsequently suspended as SRC president pending an appeal.
ROCKING OUT: Witsies (from left) Tish Singh, Stevan Johnson, Luke van Aardt and Ryan Deacon showcase their musical talents. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
New band on the Wits block, Playing Brave are not just your average boozing brood. Only six months old, their love for music shows in the way they speak, sing and act.
All Wits students, the band, which is an indie-garage rock genre, came together after meeting at a party where two of the members, Tish Singh and Stevan Johnson had already started playing acoustic music together a few weeks before.
Through Singh they met their bassist, Luke van Aardt and his “good mate”, drummer Ryan Deacon (who I must mention, is of Irish decent).
“Ryan is probably the best guitarist, drummer … you name it of the band!” said lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Johnson, “Ryan actually started out as a guitarist until we realised we needed a drummer.”
“And I was like ‘Hey, I can play drums too’ and that was it,” Deacon said.
Their music is inspired by art, contemporary cinema “especially films like Whiplash”, happy times and “of course break-ups”.
“We’re also inspired by other musicians, especially Josh Homme. He’s a phenomenal musician!” said Van Aardt
Playing Brave toured in Durban for a week recently and has also played at Cool Runnings, Smugglers and the Living Room in Maboneng.
The band’s favourite food is “Ryan’s moms’ spaghetti bolognaise”.
The band hopes to eventually make it to the Oppikoppi music festival because it’s one of the “best local rock festivals”.
“It’s the best place to be as a musician,” Johnson said. “We also hope to get an album out soon as well.”
Deacon told Wits Vuvuzela that conflict and rivalry within the band is kept to the bare minimum.
“If we have an issue with someone in the band, we hash it out there and then,” he said.
“Ja, we don’t let it build up. We’re all mates!” said Singh.
To chill out the band enjoy partying together, square-mosh dancing and rocking out to music which is what keeps them motivated.
“We just do things that remind us of why we are doing this, I love it,” said Singh.
The band’s favourite food is “Ryan’s moms’ spaghetti bolognaise” and when asked about what one would find in their garage fridge where they practice, Johnson joked, “lots of Baileys and Beer”.
The band wants to appeal to “young, fun and alternative” audiences who are willing to “dance their asses off”.
“Truth be told, none of us really want to be studying, if we could really make it as musicians we’d make that our full-time career,” Johnson said.
The bands next gig will be on March 20 at Sundowners.
VIVA: Wits students and staff march together in solidarity with students who were denied NSFAS funding. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
Wits University has been given twenty four hours to allow students without funding to register or face the prospect of disruptions.
Members of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), South African Student Organisation (SASCO) and the Young Communist League (YCL) today handed a memorandum over to the dean of students, Dr Pamela Dube in the Senate House concourse. The group is demanding that Wits management “admit students now and solve the issues later”.
Justice Mokotedi, chair of the Young Communist League at Wits, said protesting students would make the university “ungovernable” if their demands were not met on time.
“There will be no Sunday,” he said referring to the start of the Orientation Week programme starting this weekend.
“We have been sitting in meeting after meeting drinking coffee, our caffeine levels are high but we are tired. Sick and tired! We want answers!”
HAND IT OVER: Dean of Students, Dr Pamela Dube acknowledges receit of the PYA’s memorandum. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
He also accused management and vice chancellor Prof Adam Habib of being on a retreat while the protest was taking place.
“As this is happening and we are protesting for student rights, our VC is enjoying wine and whiskey on a retreat! We give Pamela this memorandum unapologetically.”
SRC (Student Representative Council), secretary general, Senzekahle Mbokazi, said students are protesting because “we cannot understand why there is so much confusion” between Wits and the Department of Higher Education.
Mbokazi said the SRC had been to speak to both the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and Wits.
“NSFAS claims that Wits is mismanaging funds and Wits is saying they were not allocated enough money. In the meantime 2788 students are being held to ransom. More pressure needs to be put on the university,” she said.
As the march progressed throughout the day, protestors blocked the university’s central Yale Road to vent their frustrations.
“We will block campus roads,” said SASCO chairperson Nthabiseng Molefe as she addressed the crowd. “We will show management that we are in control!”
CONCERNING: Thugs have been active robbing Braamfontein locals and, in one attack, tying them up in the cemetery. Photo: Ilanit Chernick.
Wits Campus Control have warned students of an escalation in criminal activity in the area following the robbery of a man who was left tied to a grave in Braamfontein cemetery recently.
A tweet from the Campus Control account sent out on July 24 warned students that on “Enoch Sontonga [there are] thugs becoming violent”.
Security and liaison manager at Campus Control, Lucky Khumela, said the tweet followed the armed robbery of an unidentified man on July 23.
“A man was approached by three armed men. They robbed him of his valuables and then tied him up with wires to a grave in the Braamfontein cemetery,” Khumela said.
The man was left tied to the grave during the night wearing only a t-shirt and boxers. He managed to untie himself and alerted Campus Control of the attack. Campus Control then informed the South African Police Services (SAPS).
Khumela said police have promised to increase patrols in the area.
The area around the bridge outside the cemetery, across the road from Wits, has become a known crime hot-spot for thugs and students have been warned to be cautious there even during the day.
“There are guards from 6am to 6pm, but students must still be careful,” said Khumela
Campus Control also stressed on Twitter that students must not walk alone or with valuables in “isolated areas” after hours because “robberies outside campus is a real concern”.
Two female Wits students were also the victims of two separate smash and grab incidents outside the Wits Art Museum over this past week.
On Friday afternoon a student was driving along Jorissen street when a man approached her car window, smashed it and grabbed her bag.
The second robbery took place on Monday afternoon, also on Jorissen street, when another female student was waiting in traffic. A man smashed her window and grabbed her cellphone before running off into the busy street.
Campus Control posts security guards on Jorrisen street. However, Khumela said the smash and grab thieves were “opportunists” who waited until the guards were patrolling further down the street before striking. Khumela said they were investigating the recent incidents.
Generation Y: Panelists at Joburg Radio Day discussed ways of keeping the youth tuned in. Photo: Luca Kotton.
The Joburg Radio Days conference ended today with a focus on the youth segment of radio consumers. Rofhiwa Madzena weighs in on the debate.
The Debate
Radio today does not focus enough on the youth , according to one of the speakers on this morning’s opening panel on the final day of the 2014 Joburg Radio Days conference at Wits University. Speakers on this panel tried to outline their various approaches to attracting and servicing the youth market.
Lerato Makate, programming manager at Voice of Wits said: “VowFM radio is more than just an on-air party.” She added that the perception that young people do not like talk and intellectual content on radio station needs to be changed. Makate said radio needs to focus on a combination of talk and music which is something “not many campus radio stations do.”
J.P Schlueter, formerly of German youth station Dasding, was also a part of the panel. He emphasised that even the staff of youth stations need constant reevaluation especially as they cease to be young people. “It’s important for young people to make programming for young people,” Schleuter said and added that systems in Germany are not favourable to youth development.
Schlueter argued that for success in youth radio, stations need to be radical and consistent but at the same time regularly make changes that keep up with the youth.
The CEO of Yfm, Kanthan Pillay countered the call for more intellectual content on radio stations whose target market is young people. After a comment from that the audience that “youth radio is filled with mindless fluff … it sidelines intellectual programming to an hour,” Pillay said the more serious content on youth radio needs to be “broken down into bite-size chunks” and integrated into everyday radio so that listeners can have continue to have interest.
Pillay did say that having a great physical presence in society appeals to the young people. This thought was shared by Makate who added that being on the ground allows young people accessibility to bring and discuss issues that affect them.
My thoughts
A great deal of the conversation that took place today was great in the sense that it stressed the importance of the inclusion of young people into all forms of broadcast media.
Generation Y (or is it X?) as we are known is the future and it is essential that the previous generation of broadcast media pioneers consider our relevance in an increasingly digital society, one which we understand and can navigate through better.
While there is the understanding that there needs to be a greater presence of youth radio in society, there seems to be a disconnect in the ways that this could be established. “Mindless fluff” works just fine for many young people and some radio stations capitalise on this but I think that in doing so, they have ignorantly chosen to look past other, more relevant issues and ideas relevant to young people.
It’s a challenging process to integrate the new with the old but it is something that needs to happen.
Even though there are some disparities in the way this process is supposed to occur it is encouraging to see that there are debates and efforts towards this end.
The national general elections are just around the corner but the amount of voter apathy among first time voters is frightening. Over 10 million eligible voters in South Africa have not registered to vote in tomorrow’s elections.
It’s a scary statistic and for a country that is so new to democracy, it is also quite a sad one.
HAVE YOUR SAY: South Africans go to the polls tomorrow in the 20th year of democracy. Photo: File.
This year, I am voting for the first time. I am excited – it is somewhat nerve-wracking and new. For the first time in my life I am a part of a generation whose voice will be heard. It is symbolic for me that that I will be voting for the first time when our South Africa celebrates its 20 years of democracy. I count myself lucky.
I may not have personally fought for this right but I know many of you, and your parents, did play a role in the struggle. You fought for the right to vote, for freedom, for equality, for a better life – we all did, some having a bigger part to play than others but it was a collective effort.
Each person had their role to play to bring about change and now you have the right to exercise this change and vote.
But it is more than that, as citizens of a democratic country it is our right to choose the people who will implement laws and run our country. If we choose not to vote, we have no right to complain about the government or our leadership. We don’t have the right to protest against legislation or laws implemented because it was our choice not to vote and our choice not to use our right.
If you want to see change, you have to be the change. So go out there this election day – and vote! Have your say and make South Africa the place you want it to be.
You have the choice, you have the right so use it!
A WitsVuvuzela journalist was mugged at Wits on Wednesday night after the Orlando Pirates vs. Bidvest Wits soccer match.
The journalist, who asked not to be named, said he was in the Wits parking lot behind the stadium when he was approached by two men in Orlando Pirate shirts.
“I was on my way to my car…there were not a lot of people there at all and it was dark,” he said.
The men demanded that he hand over his valuables. At the time he was in possession of his car keys, cellphone and a camera.
“I wasn’t sure if they were armed and I didn’t want to get aggressive so I just gave them what they wanted,” he said.
[pullquote]“I wasn’t sure if they were armed and I didn’t want to get aggressive so I just gave them what they wanted[/pullquote]
He handed over his phone and managed to get away before they could get the other items.
He then ran back to the stadium to ask the on-duty police for help, “they tried [to help] but they told me there was nothing they could really do because there were so many people,” he said.
Over the past few weeks there has been a surge of crime in and around Wits campus. Last week Wits Vuvuzela reported three attempted kidnappings outside Main campus in Braamfontein.
Students are urged to be careful and vigilant especially when walking or driving alone at night.
Matome Kadi, Bidvest Wits striker, runs down the line in an eventful 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Luca Kotton
Bidvest Wits showed impressive form last night, keeping the visitors Kaizer Chiefs away from a victory they so desperately wanted.
The Clever Boys drew 0-0 in the Absa Premier League match against AmaKhosi at the Bidvest Wits Stadium, last night.
The Clever Boys supporters jumped for joy 61 minutes into the game when Sithembiso Ngcobo’s finish from Sibusiso Vilakazi resulted in what seemed to be a goal, but this joy was short-lived, as the goal was ruled out for an offside. This highlight of the match summed up the dominance of ball possession by Bidvest Wits.
The first 10 minutes of the game consisted of many goal attempts by both teams and one free kick for the Clever Boys. Chiefs striker, Simphiwe Tshabalala crossed and missed yet another chance to bring victory to Amakhosi.
Shortly after, Amos Ngcobo almost hit the target for the Clever Boys but this was met by a good save by Amakhosi captain, Itumeleng Khune.
[pullquote] “The Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits fans set the tone for the game from the start, with the Bidvest Wits band leading vibrant songs of encouragement from the sidelines and the sound of vuvuzelas blasting from both the blue and gold bloods. “[/pullquote]
The Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits fans set the tone for the game from the start, with the Bidvest Wits band leading vibrant songs of encouragement from the sidelines and the sound of vuvuzelas blasting from both the blue and gold ends.
In hopes of gaining victory Chief’s Siboniso Gaxa passed the ball to George Lebese who flared his lines and missed the ball. Minutes later the host made a change sending in Calvin Kadi and benching Asive Langwe. In response to Lebese’s miss, Chiefs followed the same strategy and sent him out in exchange for George Maluleka.
In what looked like a tug of war 30 minutes into the match, Vilakazi, the Clever Boys captain’s attempted to shoot for the target and was hindered by the defense of Masilela. In response to this Vilakazi tripped Masilela in pursuit of the ball and earned Chiefs a corner kick.
The Clever Boys used their home ground advantage making the AmaKhosi boys struggle as Bidvest Wits striker Papy Faty finished with a shot which was unfortunately above the bar.
In an exciting turn of events Chiefs almost scored an own goal but Khune diverted the ball away from the goals.
Half time saw both teams with no goals and the Clever Boys with more attempts at goal and dominant ball position. The second half of the match was similar to the first with both the blue and gold bloods fighting to win the match.
The remaining 20 minutes of the match showed a fighting spirit for the Amakhosi but the Clever Boys kept their guard up. Bidvest Wits retained dominant ball position from the beginning of the match until the end and as a result Kwanda Mngonyama was honored as the man of the match.
Witsies are underwhelmed by the new colourful, flavoured condoms which will soon be free from the government.
This week Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, announced the new condoms after a survey by the Human Sciences Research Council showed that condom use in South Africa had decreased.
The survey also showed that boys were starting to have sex at a younger age, young people were sleeping around more and becoming less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS.
SAY “I DO”: Students think twice before doing the deed using Choice condoms. Government hopes this will change with the new condoms. Photo: Zelmarie Goosen
But the new condoms are unlikely to make any change to the sex habits of students, according to a number of Witsies approached by Wits Vuvuzela.
“Choice sucks and they [condoms] stink, so even if they make them colourful and add flavour to them, it won’t make a difference to me, I won’t use them,” according to Zama Mthunzi, 1st year BSc.
Aurelia Dako, 3rd year BA, said it was better to use bought condoms than the free condoms provided by government. “To me, the difference is that they [government condoms] are free. A person shouldn’t mind spending [money] for their health instead of getting them for free.”
Young women say they are sometimes reluctant to have sex using the free condoms, even going so far as to stop in the heat of the moment when their man pulls out a Choice condom.
On the other hand, one young woman said she would not spend money on condoms and that Choice condoms were better quality than those sold in shops.
Some of the men said they would not mind using the free condoms if they did not have enough money to buy their preferred brands. The price of condoms varies from R12 to R38 for a pack of three. The most popular brand among young people is Durex, according to the students approached.[pullquote] “Choice sucks and they [condoms] stink, so even if they make them colourful and add flavour to them, it won’t make a difference to me”[/pullquote]
Despite the different colours and the flavours, young people say they still prefer store-bought condoms because of the texture variations like studded, ribbed and ultra-thin, which students claim makes the sex more pleasurable.
Choice condoms are available in most campus toilets but, in his statement, the minister said students were not using them. Approached for comment, spokesperson to the minister, Joe Maila, said: “We suspect young people prefer fancier condoms so our department wants to make the Choice condoms more appealing, make them cool and funky.”
The department hoped the rolling out of new condoms would help control increased teenage pregnancy rates and HIV infections.
Maila said the department would use the same budget it was granted for the current condoms to produce the new ones. “Even if we use one cent more than our initial budget, this is an investment, we are preventing the spread of disease and creating productive, healthy members of society.”
Currently 23% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 are infected with HIV and only 14.5% of males between the same ages, according to the HSRC survey, quoted in Business Day. The infection rate among teenage girls between 15 and 19 is eight times higher.
The condoms will be distributed for free at South Africa’s universities and Further Education and Training (FET) colleges.
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, […]
