The Western Cape High Court ruled in favor of eZaga Holdings, compelling the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to continue using its services for distributing student allowances, following NSFAS’s decision to terminate contracts after allegations of corruption.
As the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) prepares to appeal a court ruling, students are reassured that their allowances will not be affected, despite a change in the service provider responsible for payments.
The Western Cape High Court ruled in favor of eZaga Holdings on July 15 compelling the NSFAS to continue using the company’s services for distributing student allowances.
This ruling came after NSFAS announced its intention to terminate contracts with four service providers—Coinvest, eZaga Holdings, Noracco Corporation, and Tenet Technology and to transfer the distribution of allowances directly to universities.
In response to NSFAS’s decision to terminate these contracts, eZaga Holdings applied for an interdict to prevent the cancellation of its five-year contract. The court ruled in favor of eZaga, ordering NSFAS to continue issuing payment instructions to the company for student allowances. NSFAS, however, has announced plans to appeal the court’s decision.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela, NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said,” this will not affect students at all because we are currently not using any of the payment partners to pay allowances to students, we are paying through universities, and TVET colleges students are getting their allowances directly”
Wits SRC Deputy President Simphiwe Mntungwa criticized the ruling, expressing opposition to eZaga’s continued role. Mntungwa stated, “I am strongly against the continued use of eZaga as a service provider for distributing NSFAS allowances. I, together with the Wits SRC, believe that this decision is a corruption stunt by the government that undermines transparency and efficiency in the distribution process. The court’s ruling, while binding, does not align with the best interests of the students.”
Mntungwa advocated for institutions to handle allowance distribution, highlighting the benefits of direct institutional oversight and accountability. He pointed out that the shift to institutional distribution has already proven to be more effective, reducing delays and issues linked to third-party providers.
The legal battle between NSFAS and service providers stem from an investigation by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) into corruption within the Department of Higher Education. OUTA’s findings, supported by voice recordings, allege that service providers paid substantial kickbacks to former Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, NSFAS Chairperson Ernest Khosa and the South African Communist Party (SACP) to secure tenders and protection.
As NSFAS prepares to appeal the ruling, the immediate impact on students remains minimal, according to the scheme.
In scenes resembling some recent parliamentary sittings, a debate descended into chaos as EFFSC and SASCO hurled insults at each other.
The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) ‘Political Showdown’ on August 5, 2024, descended into chaos as the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) and South African Student Council (SASCO) heckled each other leading to the event being dismissed abruptly.
The event was held to provide a platform for discussion of SRC’s work in the 2023/24 period.
The panelists included the SRC President, Bukisa Boniswa who is politically affiliated with the EFFSC, Former Treasurer of the SRC, Kabelo Phungwayo who is politically affiliated with SASCO and the EFFSC chairperson, Surprise Mathebula. The facilitators of the event were the SRC Clubs and societies officer Tshepiso Khesa and the Social science student council chairperson, Nombulelo Chiya.
Student populace, EFFsc and SASCO members engaging in a gwijo session. Photo Salim Nkosi
The stage was set by the first question posed to the SRC President which asked, “Why was it not necessary for a student protest action to take place at the beginning of the year when NSFAS students could not register due to outstanding debts?”
Boniswa said the SRC raised R10 million through their fundraising efforts, which was used to help students who needed assistance with registration. She said this was the highest amount ever raised without resorting to protest. Through these funds NSFAS beneficiaries with outstanding or historical debt were able to register this year.
In addition, students with an average of above 50% were assisted with registration. The SRC has also compiled a monthly bursary bible, stacked with opportunities for eligible students.
Moreover, the SRC ensured that all Honours students that applied for the SRC fund this year got funded. Master’s and PhD candidates were considered and advised to apply for assistance through their faculties, which is something that has never occurred.
But these successes were quickly shot down by mostly SASCO student activists who shouted that it was all “lies”. A shouting match ensued to a point where the two groups started challenging each other to a physical fight.
An altercation between students following the SRC Presidents address. Photo: Salim Nkosi
After some calm was restored, Phungwayo took to the podium and challenged some of Boniswa’s key points. The issue that he challenged was the ability to register all NSFAS students that had outstanding and historical debts to the institution. He said according to the financial rules of the institution, bursary funded students are not charged interest.
Furthermore, he said that the government and the NSFAS board have a clear working relationship which works in a way that if one is funded by the government, there is no institution that is supposed to deny them access due to any outstanding fees, whether it is own debt or government debt.
After Phungwayo’s response the ‘showdown’ again descended into a shouting match between the EFFSC and SASCO activists. Facilitators tried hard to restore order to no avail. They were left with no choice but to dismiss the debate and send attendees home without clarity on the matters raised.
FEATURED IMAGE: The chaotic scene at the political showdown debate. Photo: Sanele Sithetho
Given how misleading period adverts can often be, it is easy to question what truly makes an advert effective.
Advertisers would have you believe periods are a dance party or a carefree stroll in the park. In reality, they are an emotional rollercoaster, and it is time we saw the truth.
Looking into what separates a good advert from a bad one. Graphic: Ofentse Tladi
The latest Always advert opens with five women in vibrant colours dancing energetically. As they dance, three boys dressed similarly appear, looking surprised by the scene. One girl playfully dances over one of the boys, heightening his surprise. The advert then wraps up with the product prominently displayed, highlighting the sanitary pad.
Instead of showing the reality of pain and discomfort, it presents an unrealistic and misleading image. Moreover, the scene where the girl dances over the guy feels inappropriate and out of touch with the true experiences of women on their periods.
The potential intention behind this advert is understandable as it aims to cast periods in a positive light rather than focusing on the negatives, perhaps to try bring hope to those who experience them. However, the reality of what one truly experiences during their period is more grim.
According to the National Institute of Health, many women and girls suffer from abdominal pain during their periods, a condition known as dysmenorrhea. This condition has psycho-emotional symptoms such as anger, irritability, and depression.
As a writer with a Bachelor of Creative Writing from AFDA, where I studied promotional writing and won the Undergraduate Discipline Merit Award in that field, I have substantial knowledge in promotional writing to decipher what separates a good advert from a bad one.
The basis of promotional writing and advertising is about connecting with your target audience. You want to make them feel seen, heard, and most importantly, you want a powerful call to action that compels them to take immediate action.
A recent Kotex advert titled “ProgressFeelsLike” exemplifies what I believe period advertising should be. The advert captures the often overlooked discomfort women experience during their periods.
It uses a narrative format, combining powerful voiceover with clips of women pushing through the sharp grip f cramps during meetings, discreetly checking for leaks on their pants in crowded spaces and fighting exhaustion while caring for their family.
The line, “being dismissed is being on your period,” underscores the frustration of having your struggles minimized simply because you are menstruating.
Another powerful line, “not comfortable, seen as not capable enough or as behaving enough,” captures the harsh judgements women often endure while on their periods.
These judgements manifest in different ways – being perceived as overly emotional or unreliable at work, having their capabilities questioned simply because of the natural biological process, or being labelled as moody or difficult to work with.
These assumptions can lead to women being dismissed or overlooked in both professional and personal settings, reinforcing the stigma and silence surrounding menstruation.
The world of promotional writing is really about storytelling. It is about using your brand to craft narratives that draw your audience into your world. Understanding your audience’s needs, desires, and pain points and then communicating how your brand can meet those needs in an authentic way.
Advertising is not just about making a noise and selling a product; it is about creating a melody that lingers in people’s minds long after the campaign is over.
FEATURED IMAGE: Ofentse Tladi, 2024 Wits Vuvuzela Journalist. Photo: File/ Leon Sadiki.
People remember how you treat them, not what you do – a lesson for government clinic nurses, where kindness can be the best medicine.
Despite the progress made in reproductive healthcare, including the increase in public facilities offering abortion services, South Africa still grapples with a significant illegal sector. One in four women resort to unsafe abortions, putting women’s lives at risk.
Further, one in four aged 15-49 across all nine provinces faces unmet contraceptive needs, highlighting a critical gap in access to essential services.
These and other issues around reproductive health were on the agenda at ‘The Story of all Women’, a Women’s Month event hosted by Wits University’s SRC President, Bukisa Boniswa on August 2. Talking through the secrecy and stigma was at the heart of the discussion.
The event brought together a diverse panel of experts, including Khanyisa Booi, founder of Eve Apple Magazine, Dr.Mpume Zende, an OB-Gynae-Sexologist, Ennie Makhafola, women’s health activist, and Dr.Busisiwe Nkala-Dlamini, a senior lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand Department of social work.
Booi asked the audience about their experiences seeking contraception at public clinics. Almost half of the room raised their hands, sharing a collective nod of familiarity and discomfort, as they recounted stories of feeling judged by nurses.
Dr. Zende shared her experiences at Baragwanath Hospital, where women face belittling and neglect from nurses. In contrast to private hospitals, government clinics often lack effective contraceptives, leaving women with limited options and severe side effects, highlighting a stark disparity in care.
While Dr.Nkala reminded the audience of the history of access. During Apartheid young black women did not have the right to terminate pregnancies, until The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996 was passed. She also noted that in many African homes, conversations about reproductive health are uncomfortable or sugarcoated, leading to confusion and ignorance.
The evening underscored the need for greater access and safe spaces where women can seek help without judgment. In the scenario where women find themselves uncomfortable to speak to nurses at their local clinics, they can call confidential hotlines and helplines for reproductive health and rights information such as Marie Stopes South Africa’s 24-hour helpline (0800 11 77 85) or the National Department of Health’s Reproductive Health Helpline (0800 601 700).
Nurses and healthcare providers must be trained to provide compassionate and non-judgmental healthcare. Additionally, access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including contraception and termination services, must be prioritised.
FEATURED IMAGE: An Image of contraceptives being handed over from one hand to another. Photo: Stock image
The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sporting excellence, and these women athletes are the perfect example of South African sporting talent.
This year, South African Women’s Month coincides with the Summer Olympic Games, which makes it a perfect time to honour just some of the countless women who have made history in these prestigious games. From Penny Heyns to Caster Semenya, South African women have continued to showcase their skills at the highest level.
The Olympics are some of the oldest athletic competitions in the world, starting in 776 BC, but women only joined the competition in the 1900 games. South Africa has an interesting relationship with the Olympic games because of the nation’s Apartheid policy which had them banned from 1964 until the negotiations to end Apartheid began in 1990 (Olympedia). This means South African women only participated in the Olympic Games on a larger scale from the 1992 Summer Games, with 26 women at once, as opposed to the combined 31 between 1920 and 1990.
Since their readmission, South African women have proven to be worthy contenders, holding their weight in all competitions, from swimming to athletics and even hockey.
Penelope ‘Penny’ Heyns, one of the nation’s most successful competitors, won 3 total medals (two gold and one bronze), and became one of the world’s greatest swimmers after becoming the first woman in Olympic history to win both the 200m and 100m breaststroke events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Despite questions about her gender, Caster Semenya won gold medals in Women’s 800m athletics at the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. Semenya’s Olympics journey was cut short when World Athletics (formerly International Association of Athletics Federations) ruled in 2018 that she and other female athletes like her with high testosterone levels should take medication to reduce these levels. She remains one of the greatest South African women athletes to participate at the Olympics.
Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) is yet another South African woman who continues to achieve phenomenal results at the Olympic Games. As of July 30, Smith received one gold medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke event, the country’s first of the tournament. This gold medal achievement is her third after winning two others at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she set a new world record for the Women’s 200m breaststroke.
These are just a few of South Africa’s amazing women athletes who have flown the South African flag high. Their passion, dedication, and skill serve to inspire generations of young women as the country celebrates women this Women’s Month.
FEATURED IMAGE: Tatjana Smith posing with her Olympic gold medal on TV. Photo: Kamogelo Kungwane
Students should be commended for having part-time jobs as the amount of time and effort required seems excruciating.
Navigating academic life as a postgraduate student in journalism while balancing work has been both exhilarating and challenging. It is a battle between getting good grades while also maintaining your lifestyle.
By day, I always envisioned myself uncovering groundbreaking stories and diving into my bustling side hustle by night. Well, looking at things now, it is safe to say that is not how it is currently unfolding.
Many students in South Africa manage to work part-time jobs while they attend school. Approximately 20% of students in higher education institutions work part-time, per a Stats South Africa report.
The requirement to obtain work experience and provide financial support for their studies is a contributing factor to this trend. Tsatsawani Nkuna, studying BSc in Property Studies at Wits University works part-time as a waitress at a restaurant in Braamfontein to cover her monthly expenses.
Many people are forced to work and study simultaneously due to financial constraints, the rising cost of education, and the need to gain practical work experience. This situation often leads to a challenging but enriching journey where individuals learn to balance multiple responsibilities and build resilience.
Being door staff – the person who charges an entry fee at the Play Braam establishment – is thrilling, as I get to engage with different personalities and learn from some. However, this can sometimes get a bit tiring, as I am someone who runs on a limited social battery.
My working hours are from 10am till 8pm every Saturday and some Sundays. While overtime runs depending on the duration of a certain event taking place, there are also days during the week where there are events, and I am allocated a shift.
Having to show up for my classes whilst making sure I earn money to sustain myself was something that I could easily balance at first. The intensity with having to master my time management skills and prioritizing tasks though is what I struggle with.
There have been instances where I would attend class knowing that I’d have to rush to work right after, and by the time I get to res, exhaustion would kick in.
Every week I juggle coursework and assignments alongside my job. Balancing academic responsibilities leads to a hectic schedule, leaving little time for rest and social activity.
One of the benefits that keeps me going is the financial independence I have acquired. My reasons for taking on a part-time job vary as it covers a part of my tuition fees and my living expenses. Financial independence is also important as it keeps me mindful of my spending habits.
The experience can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires a thoughtful approach to balance and commitment.
In a display of skill and tenacity, Wits University’s Kudus swept the North-West University (NWU) Eagles in a friendly tennis match, dominating every game and showcasing their prowess on the court.
Under the golden sunlight of a perfect Saturday morning on July 27, the Wits Tennis Club hosted a friendly yet fiercely competitive match against the NWU Eagles from Mafikeng at the Wits Tennis courts, Bozzoli Pavilion.
Spectators filled the stands—students, parents, and community members alike- drawn by the promise of an exciting clash.
As the first serve soared through the air, it was clear this was going to be an intense match. Both teams displayed unwavering focus and sportsmanship.
With 18 matches played across four courts, the level of competition was undeniably high, Wits University quickly showcased their dominance, racking up an impressive 36 points to NWU’s 2.
Coaches and players engage in a discussion after a friendly tennis match. Photo: Lona Sokanyile
The matches provided a learning experience for players, “today was my first day playing against Wits, the game was very educational, I have learnt a lot” said NWU tennis player Otsile Modue
Kudus head coach Sylvester Zungu said his team’s victory is a testament of their relentless hard work and dedication. “It was not easy as we all know that they are students and they have to juggle around going to school and coming to practice,” he said.
Spectator, George Slambee, who watched every game, said, “today, tennis won we didn’t come here to see who would win or lose, this venture between Wits and NWU was an absolute success, and as parents, this is what we want to see”.
The players left the court with new experiences and lessons, the spectators with thrilling memories and both teams with a strengthened bond.
FEATURED IMAGE: Keletso Mmako, Wits tennis player leaps to return a shot during a match. Photo: Lona Sokanyile
Against all odds, a talented young footballer scores a deal with Premier Soccer League (PSL) club.
In a remarkable tale of resilience, Sifiso Mazibuko, a 20-year-old student from Wits University has signed a contract with Chippa United FC.
This significant milestone signifies the start of Mazibuko’s professional football journey, a dream brought to life by unwavering determination and grit. “I feel blessed to be granted this opportunity, to kickstart my career and represent this big team,” says Mazibuko.
Mazibuko’s eyes shone with pride and determination as he signed with the Chilli Boys earlier this month. His journey is not only a personal victory, but also emphasizes the excellence of the SuperSport United DSTV Diski Challenge (DDC) academy in nurturing professional athletes.
Despite the undeniable appeal of professional football, Mazibuko is dedicated to his education. Juggling his academic responsibilities with his sporting endeavors has been both challenging and fulfilling. He attributes his ability to manage this demanding period to the strong support system around him.
“Wits University welcomed me with open arms; it felt like home even before I started,” Mazibuko recalls. “Balancing my studies in the first year was challenging, but after the Varsity Cup, I found a way to manage both successfully.”
Hailing from Kwa-Zulu Natal, his affection for the beautiful game was clear from a young age according to his father, Sibusiso Mazibuko. “You deserve it my son, go out and show the world what you can offer on the field,” says Sibusiso. Football was more than just a sport for him; it became an all-encompassing obsession.
Sifiso Mazibuko in action for Wits University. Photo: Supplied/Lindy Makhanyile
While playing for the SuperSport United DDC team, the winger’s knack for coordinating attacks, generating scoring chances, and motivating his teammates set him apart, according to Roscoe Krieling, Mazibuko’s coach at SuperSport DDC.
Guided by seasoned coaches and supported by equally skilled peers, he refined his abilities and grew into a versatile footballer. His outstanding skills and leadership quickly drew the attention of the Chilli Boys scouts.
“He’s got real natural potential,” says Roscoe Krieling, Mazibuko’s coach at SuperSport DDC. “Good luck to him; it’s always positive when a player moves on and gets the opportunity to perform and showcase their abilities at the highest level.”
With his move to the PSL, Mazibuko is poised to make waves in South African football.
His ultimate goal is to play professional football in Europe, a dream that will not only bring pride to his family, but also inspire future generations to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness through hard work and determination.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sifiso Mazibuko signs for Chippa United FC. Photo: Supplied/Chippa United FC.
The Wits Liberated Zone has continued their fight for peace with a day of fun, because joy is the biggest act of resistance.
On Thursday, July 25, the WLZ invited students to the Lawns to enjoy games and a picnic in another effort at solidarity with Palestine. Food, blankets, board games, and Palestinian flags littered the Library Lawns as members of the Wits Liberated Zone (WLZ) hosted a picnic for Palestine.
Students spent their lunchbreak sharing foods in the colours of the Palestine flag, like olives and pizzas, playing board games, and making art as a peaceful demonstration of their support for the people of Palestine.
Games and art supplies at the WLZ picnic. Photo: Kamogelo KungwaneCoco, a student attending the WLZ picnic at the Library lawns. Photo: Kamogelo Kungwane
“In situations where there is a lot of censorship from the oppressing party, art becomes a form of expressing that liberation in a way that it doesn’t get censored. Art perseveres through censorship, and it gives people a reason to connect. When you form a community, art is just a mode of connection,” a member of the WLZ, Zehra Zaidi, stated.
The picnic was a gathering of likeminded people who have continued to support the cause for Palestinian liberation and have hoped to see the university make efforts to distance itself from Zionism.
“Movements like the Civil Rights Movement (in the United States) were endorsed by university students, and it led to such important change, so if we choose to be neutral then we are not fulfilling our right as a university,” said Adil Durrani, a WLZ member.
This marks the first activity by the WLZ after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and considered Israel’s laws on occupied territories as tantamount to apartheid on July 19.
“Before, people were unsure about what is happening, and we didn’t have a formal statement from a very high authority like the ICJ. If you are not going to believe that then you are just being ignorant,” said Durrani.
The Wits Liberated Zone many efforts to fight for Palestine, including the encampment on the Library Lawns in May 2024. Members of the Zone intend to continue their efforts until their demands are met by the university. “In the greater scheme of things, we are building up to seeing the university take action to show vocal support for Palestinians and show real condemnation for the Israeli apartheid state,” Zaidi stated.
The students of this movement continue to place pressure on the university, with the hope that these efforts will soon result in more direct shows of solidarity with Palestine.
FEATURED IMAGE: A group of pro-Palestine students gathered for a picnic at the Wits Library Lawns. Photo: Kamogelo Kungwane
Sibusisiwe Manqele, a Wits alumnus, walks us through her journey as a prominent creative in the entertainment industry.
A powerful voice, creative vision and a vibrant personality are the qualities that make Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele an innovative storyteller.
From doing voice-overs for numerous brands and writing scripts for popular South African TV shows such as Gomora, House of Zwide and currently Skeem Saam, Sibusisiwe continues to establish her as a prominent force in the industry.
Sibusisiwe grew up in Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal which is where her love for storytelling began. Her upbringing involved long commutes from home to school with private scholar transport and the other passengers were her first storytelling audience.
“These were spaces for creating stories because we’d have 30 (minutes) plus commute when I wasn’t in boarding school, and they’ll just be stories. As kids you just find things to pass time and part of that is storytelling,” she said.
This passion for storytelling drove her to want to study at The School of Arts at Wits University. She applied for a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts (now known as Theatre and Performance), a position she had to audition for despite having no prior experience in drama. “I decided to adapt a novel that I was doing and it’s only now when I think about, oh my gosh, that was the writer in (me)”. This adaptation impressed the markers and got her into the programme.
Against the recommendations made by her course coordinators, Sibusisiwe also did Television and Film, which would often clash with Dramatic Arts classes. “My friend and I had this thought that, ‘No man, we can’t be waiting for acting. When acting is not moving we need to be behind the scenes’”.
Manqele found her first time at Wits as a journey that allowed her to understand the arts and provide her with a network of other creatives, especially as a person who did not have the same artistic background as her colleagues.
After completing her majors in 2012, she spent seven years in the industry trying to get into different types of entertainment, such as lifestyle and reality shows. In 2019, she decided to pursue an Honours Degree in Creative Writing at Wits University which she felt helped her get into more linear, fiction storytelling.
Sibusisiwe Manqele is more than just a script writer but also a businesswoman and innovator at heart. She is the founder of CONTENTWOOD, a production company which tells stories “That give voice to narratives that you don’t always see”, and a part of these narratives involve the empowerment of women.
The company’s first and only short film, Questions, was an experimental film taken from poetry, looks at mental health and the experiences of black women. Manqele had the privilege of presenting the film in Paris at the Communicating Multi-Modally: Research & Expressive Culture in May 2022.
Manqele has had an illustrious career which has been topped off by her being listed as one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Women in South Africa in 2023. When asked to share wisdom for Witsies and aspiring creatives she shared that knowing oneself is the secret and beginning of all wisdom. “And then knowing what you have to give to the world and leveraging that and making the world a better place through that service.”
In a time where the second semester is starting to get the ground running, Wits students can look to Manqele as a beacon of hope for what’s to come from hard work.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele. Photo: Skinnie’s Gallery.
Every Wits University alumnus has the infamous edge, but this particular Computer Science professor has chosen to use his edge to give back to his blue and gold community.
Benjamin Rosman is the face of Wits University’s School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, mainly because he built it from the ground up. He always wanted to create a space at Wits that “opened doors for other people to do cool things” — and people have indeed done cool things under his guidance.
It all started with the establishment of the Robotics, Autonomous Intelligence and Learning (RAIL) Lab in 2014, which was Rosman’s first passion project at Wits. A visiting lecturer at the time, Rosman already wanted to give back to the institution that drove him into the world of academia.
The RAIL Lab was the first of its kind on the continent and enabled computer scientists to transcend the “imposter syndrome” of being researchers in Africa, where robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning fields seemed wholly inaccessible.
MSc and PhD candidates are working on projects such as “Husky”, a four-legged rover that is being programmed to do palaeontology work at the Sterkfontein Caves in areas where it is too dangerous for humans to venture.
Another is “Yumi”, a two-armed robot with fine motor skills that a human can operate to perform tasks. “Spot” is the Lab’s robotic dog that can walk and balance independently.
Benjamin Rosman tweaking some of the computer elements on one of their smaller robotic projects in the RAIL Lab at Wits University. Photo: Victoria Hill
Now with over 40 students and 12 research supervisors, the RAIL Lab is home to projects of advancing AI functionality and nuancing a robot on to solve its own problems.
This was the case just a decade or so earlier when Rosman had to abandon the Wits ship and set sail to Edinburgh University, as there was a scarcity of resources for him to obtain his Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Philosophy. However, the tables have turned as students from international countries are applying to do their postgraduate degrees at Wits.
In 2019, Rosman co-pioneered his second passion project, the Deep Learning Indaba, which started as a self-funded technical workshop hosted at Wits University for computer scientists all over Africa. The idea was to get Africa on the world’s radar where computer science research was concerned, and spoiler alert, it worked.
Having over 900 attendees last year, the Indaba has been dubbed one of “the biggest summer learning school worldwide”. “[The] global community says they solve African problems for us, but we are now on your level and not just consumers of already built things,” said Rosman.
Despite a rough start to life after experiencing a pre-birth stroke, Rosman always dreamt of creating the robotics of the future, no matter the challenges in his path. Having lost all fine motor functions in the right side of his body, Rosman had to become a pro at typing fast with just one hand
He went on to win many awards, pioneered start-ups, directed many boards, and published articles, but Rosman has only ever wanted to “tangibly touch people’s lives” and make other people see what he always did — that Wits University is “the place to be”.
He says he has “a job at the best university on the continent with the best students on the continent”.
FEATURED IMAGE: Benjamin Rosman demonstrating how Yumi, a robotic arms project part of the RAIL Lab, is operated. Photo: Victoria Hill
In a tense atmosphere, the away team dominated Braamfontein Centre FC with a 7-0 victory in the Wits internal league.
On Monday, July 22, the Zulu Society FC started the second half of the season exquisitely by dominating Braamfontein Centre FC at Wits Sturrock Pack Stadium.
The game began with both sides pushing hard and applying pressure in each other’s defensive third.
However, just minutes into the first half, the tension was quickly broken when Zulu Society FC made their presence felt by effortlessly scoring their first three goals. This disrupted the opposition as players struggled to regain momentum and composure.
The first few minutes of the second half were openly contested. For a moment, it appeared as though Braamfontein Centre FC was poised to pull off an incredible turnaround.
But, despite generating multiple chances, their lack of structure and communication created space for Zulu Society FC to exploit gaps and ultimately left the home team vulnerable. The predictability of some goals exposed the Braamies’ defensive flaws.
The chants and cheers from the spectators showed unity, revealing that one team arrived at the game with a winning mindset. Each goal was celebrated as if the opponents might still fight back, but as the outcome became inevitable, the cheers grew quieter.
After the final whistle, Wandile Zulu, the Zulu Society FC coach, told Wits Vuvuzela that his team remained “focused” and “not complacent” in their approach to the game.
Zulu Society FC coach, Wandile Zulu briefs the squad about their overall performance just after the game ended. Photo: Salim Nkosi
Braamfontein Centre FC remains second to last in the league, with a record of eight games, seven losses, and one draw.
Nicholas Gudwana, the coach of Braamfontein Center FC, said: “I don’t want to say we performed poorly, but the team still needs to work very hard. This is a new team that was introduced last year, so we are in the process of building.”
As the dust settled after the match, Zulu Society FC climbed to 6th place in the first division of the Wits Internal Football League, while the home side continues to linger in the bottom half of the table.
FEATURED IMAGE: Braamfontein Centre FC restructuring its game plan during half time. Photo: Salim Nkosi
In episode six of We Should Be Writing season 7, the team unpacked the evolution of music as a form of expression and protest, through four decades in the South African context. The episode explores the journey of South African music and its consumers from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s and contemporary listeners. From the […]
