Wasteful expenditure on emergency ambulance transport is on the rise, and the university is now drawing a financial line in the sand.
Wits University attempts to manage the high cost of emergency services for residence students who refuse ambulance transport.
Almost R300 000 is spent annually on ambulance services.
The trend of transport refusals has been happening for years.
The frantic dance of red and blue lights shatters the silence of a Wits residence hall, pulsing through the window blinds. For a student without medical aid, this sudden flashing arrival is reassuring; a lifeline of professional care provided by the university.
But what happens when the student’s condition improves, or they have a change of heart and the ambulance leaves without a patient?
This frequent scenario is what the university views as a financially wasteful trend, prompting it to inform students they could be liable for a minimum of R3,000 for refusing transport for medical emergencies.
The communication, forwarded via email by the respective wardens to students living in Wits residences, begs the question of what exactly constitutes a “wasted call,” and how does this apparent misuse of emergency services translate into a significant financial burden for the university?
The financial burden and wasted calls
The Wits Campus Housing and Residence Life (CHRL) department has been absorbing costs related to student medical emergencies.
ER24, the private emergency service provider for students not on medical aid, expressed its concern to the university about students’ refusal to be transported.
Basil Mugwena, CHRL director, explained that if a student is not on medical aid, the university calls ER24 and covers the cost, opting for private services like ER24 over slower government ambulances.
The CHRL financial manager, Tabrez Jooman, stated, “Contractually, if a student refuses to be further assisted, the University still pays for the ambulance service.”
The university’s annual contract with private ambulance provider, ER24 amounts to approximately R300,000.
Mugwena notes that a single ambulance that is dispatched and leaves without a patient can cost the university almost R1,000.
It’s important to note that the R300,000 contract with ER24 does not cover the most severe cases. Mugwena, talking about the intensive care unit (ICU), clarified, “There are cases that we’ve had where we’ve had students in ICU.”
He emphasised that for these serious incidents, the university often has to cover much larger expenses. For example, he recounted one incident where a student was in the ICU for an extended period: “The default position is if you are not on medical aid after 72 hours, if you are still sick, you must be transferred to government [hospital]. Which will not happen. [So], we paid.”
These more critical situations fall outside the scope of the regular ambulance contract, placing a greater financial strain on the university.
The frustration, Mugwena noted, stems from situations where an ambulance is called, but the student either no longer needs or refuses the transport or those who call to “see whether these fellows will respond”.
“This [transport refusals] has been going on for the past few years,” he said.
Email correspondence to Wits residence students on ambulance transport refusals.
A paramedic’s perspective on refusals
Campus Health paramedic, Tebogo Sibilanga, whose team works closely with ER24 to provide rapid emergency care for students, confirmed that they have seen numerous cases of refusals for hospital transportation (RHT).
When asked how they determine if a student is fit to refuse transport, Sibilanga explained, “We’ve got what we call a Glasgow Coma Score. It has a score out of 15 which we use to determine your level of consciousness. And also, your body coordination.”
Sibilanga explained that they are legally prohibited from forcing a patient into an ambulance unless a mental health professional determines the student is a danger to themselves or others.
A common scene is set by Sibilanga: an asthmatic student who, after being found and stabilised by the team, refuses transport upon feeling better because they found their pump.
While the patient may have the resources to manage their condition, the paramedic’s protocol requires them to assess the situation thoroughly before leaving a patient to their own devices.
“We’ve had cases… when the paramedics arrived, they found that no, this particular student simply did not take their own medication,” Mugwena stated.
Sibilanga also shed light on the reason for the reliance on private services. “Due to delays with provincial ambulances—which can sometimes take hours—the university outsources the service to ER24 to ensure a rapid response time, ideally within a six-minute window.”
This partnership, alongside a deal with Milpark Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke and Hillbrow Hospital, is designed to bridge the gap in emergency care for students, particularly those who do not have medical aid.
“Actually, there are two paramedics on campus for the whole university, which is very disturbing. But we are working on hiring more people,” he said.
The challenge of mental health crises
A portion of the “wasted” calls stems from students experiencing anxiety attacks, particularly those who are directed to Akeso, a private psychiatric hospital.
Mugwena described this arrangement as a “headache,” noting a frustrating trend where students will often refuse to go to the on-campus Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU), but then insist on being taken to Akeso. However, according to protocol, a student must first be seen by CCDU to get a referral.
Mugwena pointed to stigmatisation as a major reason for students’ hesitation to be taken by an Akeso vehicle, fearing they will be perceived as “mad.”
While the university does have the authority to authorise an “involuntary admission” if a psychiatrist determines a student is a danger to themselves, Mugwena believes the issue is more complex than simple abuse of the system.
He stated, “I will not say this person is doing this deliberately… I’m saying something may be underlying.” He added that he would not penalise a student for refusing transport due to a mental health issue, calling it “inhumane.”
So, are students actually liable for payment?
The short answer is no.
Contrary to the email, both Mugwena and Jooman indicated that the R3,000 charge mentioned in the email is a deterrent, not a rigid fee that has been implemented.
Jooman said, “I am not aware of any minimum charge of R3000 being set and none has been levied to any student to date.” Mugwena confirmed, “We have never done any penalty on any student.”
Despite the threat, it was revealed that their main strategy is education.
“The best thing that we can do is to educate because time and again we say to wardens, talk to students, particularly about calling ambulance services,” clarified Mugwena.
When asked if thereis ongoing communication with students about emergency procedures, Zethu Lubisi, warden for the all-female residence, Sunnyside Hall of Residence, said, “Yes, during quarterly PGM meetings, wardens share information and encourage students to use university health services like Campus Health to get timely assistance and reduce reliance on ambulance services.”
For now, Wits is walking a fine line, using a financial threat to manage a behavioural trend, while internally acknowledging the ethical and human complexities of the situation.
The central message to students is clear: “Stop abusing this,” while the internal conversation among staff is focused on the best way to educate students and reduce financial waste without compromising their wellbeing.
FEATURED IMAGE: ER24 ambulance vehicle parked outside on the piazza at the Great Hall at Wits University. Photo: Lukholo Mazibuko
Graduating no longer guarantees stability. With stagnant salaries, high living costs, and family obligations, young South Africans are working hard but falling behind.
“Financial freedom is possible, but it requires discipline, sacrifice, and smart investing,” said Dr Nkunzi
The cost of living is rising faster than paychecks.
Internships or entry-level jobs typically pay too little to cover the cost of living.
When Kgomotso Mogale graduated with a biomedicine degree from Eduvos in 2024, she imagined a future in a laboratory or research facility, applying her skills in a field she had dedicated years of study to. Instead, she found herself in sales at a private university, earning just R8000 a month. On paper, it’s a stable job. But in reality, the numbers don’t add up.
Living in Midrand, next to the school she works at, Mogale pays R6000 for rent, leaving only R2000 to stretch across food and other daily needs. By month-end, nothing is left of her salary. Saving for the future is impossible, considering the fact that she also sends her mother money at home.
“I thought getting my degree would mean independence,” Mogale said. “But I can’t even afford the basics. Everything feels too much,” she added.
Monthly Salary vs Expenses. Graph: Dikeledi, Canva
Dr. Sibulele Nkunzi, lecturer at Wits University’s School of Economics and Finance noted that it is shocking how little internships still pay, with many offering between R5,000 and R8,000.
“That barely covers the cost of a small apartment in Johannesburg,” he explained. What is more concerning, he added, is that this level of pay has hardly changed in 15 years, despite rising living costs. Entry-level salaries should be adjusted for inflation, but companies often point to budget pressures and higher operational costs as reasons for holding back. The result is that graduates in cities like Midrand face unaffordable expenses, sometimes forcing them to drop out of the job market altogether.
For a lot of South African graduates, Mogale’s story is very common. Graduating from university is meant to signal the start of adulthood, but for today’s generation, it often marks the beginning of financial struggle.
Internships or entry-level jobs typically pay too little to cover the cost of living in cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town. Rent, transport, and food consume almost everything, leaving no room for savings or long-term planning.
Stats SA reports that youth unemployment remains very high, with thousands of graduates across the country struggle to find work in their fields. Many, like Mogale, are forced into roles outside their area of study simply to survive.
Stats SA data. Graph: Dikeledi Ramabula, Canva
Even people who have jobs are earning less in reality, because prices keep going up while their salaries stay the same. According to the BankservAfrica Take-Home Pay Index, real salaries in South Africa have barely grown over the past five years. That means even when graduates earn more on paper, their money stretches less every month.
“The cost of living is rising faster than paychecks,” says Johannesburg-based financial educator Ona Selepe. “Young professionals are earning, but they’re not getting ahead. Most can’t save, and many turn to debt just to stay afloat,” she said.
In Mogale’s case, small things like catching a taxi to go buy groceries drain her budget. “By the time I pay for taxis and groceries, I’m in the red. I’m not even thinking about things like medical aid or investments. I simply can’t afford them,” she said.
Beyond rising costs, there’s another layer of pressure unique to many South Africans: “black tax.” Graduates who are the first in their families to secure jobs often feel obligated to support parents or siblings financially, even when they themselves are struggling.
Human resources consultant Mummy Seriti says this expectation places young workers in impossible positions. “They’re expected to live up to the image of success, the car, the good suburb, but the money simply isn’t there to sustain that lifestyle.”
For Mogale, the thought of helping family members is overwhelming. “I want to support them, but how can I when I can barely support myself?”
Dr.Nkunzi explained how inflation is hitting new graduates especially hard. “The high cost of living makes it difficult for graduates to cope, particularly those starting out in low-pay internships,” he said. “Most of their income goes straight to rent, transport, and groceries, leaving little for basics like electricity, internet, or even toiletries.
“Without parental support, many are forced to stretch limited pay to survive. This constant financial pressure doesn’t just reduce quality of life, it also harms mental health, work performance, and relationships,” he added.
Dr. Nkunzi emphasised that financial literacy is crucial for young graduates trying to make the most of their limited income. “The truth is, many people only learn about money after making costly mistakes,” he said. Being proactive, learning how to budget, avoiding unnecessary debt, and starting early, can make a significant difference.
He stressed that financial freedom is possible, but it requires discipline, sacrifice, and smart investing. Graduates may also need to explore alternative income streams, which are increasingly available through technology and the gig economy, to ease pressure and begin building a more secure financial future.
Mogale’s journey reflects a generation caught between ambition and survival, a reminder that until conditions change, financial freedom will remain out of reach for too many graduates.
FEATURED IMAGE: Monthly Salary vs Expenses. Graph: Dikeledi, Canva
The Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) holds Wits University accountable for silence on Israeli apartheid.
The Wits PSC initiated a campaign calling out Wits’ complicity in Israeli Apartheid.
Wits University has a history of activism against injustice but remains silent to the current conflict.
The PSC accuses the university of platforming Zionism through hiring decisions and by marginalising pro-Palestinian voices.
The history of Wits University is difficult to ignore as you wander through the halls. On every step, there’s a story; on every lawn lingers cries of resistance. As a student, one can take pride in knowing that they are following a generation of activists in an institution which refused to stay silent in the face of apartheid. Today, students continue to hold power to account, yet, with a key difference – Wits University is now the institution that is being held accountable.
The Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) along with their supporters have carried out protests against Israeli apartheid for years, with students gathering, holding red, white, and green flags, raising their voices, calling for Palestine’s freedom. Following South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel, the PSC called on the institution to take a firm stand on the Genocide. Though the university called for a ceasefire in Palestine, the institutions broader inaction on the matter was the driver of a much more cutting campaign: ‘Wits’ Complicity in Israeli Apartheid.’
Collage of PSC campaign posts. Graphic: Ekta Seebran.
From liberation to complicity
Affirmed by the university itself, Wits has been an ‘open university’ since its establishment. Committed to maintaining “a firm, consistent and vigorous stand against apartheid, not only in education, but in all its manifestations,” protesting avidly against the Extension of the University Education Act of 1959, which controlled the acceptance of non-white students into South African universities.
In the PSC’s letter of demands to the university, it was noted that while the university confirmed that they have not entered into any new agreements with Israeli companies in the past eight years, but, “are extremely troubled to learn that Wits remains implicit in doing business with Israeli companies, accepting donations from the Israeli embassy, and employing a former IDF officer as one of the University’s professors.”
Though the university stays silent, the PSC campaign alleges that Wits shows its complicity through key administrative decisions made.
Who speaks in our lecture halls?
Karen Milner is an associate professor of psychology at the Wits University; she is also the National Chair of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD).
Following South Africa’s ICJ proceedings against Israel, Milner published a letter addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter outlines the board’s disdain with the country’s case against Israel, calling the 7 October 2023 attack, “the greatest tragedy since the Holocaust 78 years ago.”
While acknowledging the severity of 7 October 2023 attack, this concern, however, ignores the history that has led to the current genocide against Palestinians.
The PSC lay the groundwork, highlighting that Milner not only defended Israel against the ICJ and deem the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement as antisemitic, but also dismissed allegations of genocide against Palestinians.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to Milner who commented, “As an Academic I believe and advocate that institutions of higher education, and especially Wits University, need to be inclusive spaces, that foster diversity and welcome a multiplicity of views. I respect the views of students and staff with views that may differ from mine, and hope that others can do the same. My issue with the Wits PSC’s campaign is that it seeks to silence any dissenting or different opinion and is contrary to the values of our constitutional democracy and intellectual freedom.
“Shutting down and threatening Jewish voices in any environment, because they don’t adhere to a simplistic ideological stance, is deeply problematic, and antithetical to the principles of our university and our country,” she said.
In her concluding remarks, Milner expressed issue with the use of the word ‘apartheid’ in the context of Israel and Palestine, calling it “biased”.
But, for the PSC, Milner’s stance is not an academic one, but one that contravenes the Palestinian reality.
As South Africans we have the best front line to say what apartheid is and what is not apartheid. So, I completely disagree with that. I don’t think it’s a biased notion.”
Much like the pass system of apartheid South Africa, Palestinian movement in Israel has been restricted since the year 2000. According to OCHA(The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), Israel has imposed additional restrictions across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with over 800 movement barriers, since October 2023. These include checkpoints and roadblocks among others.
These barriers have impacted access to healthcare and food supply among others. According to an update by OCHApublished 28 August 2025, the humanitarian crisis on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank has intensified, with increased famine, loss of life, illness, and displacement.
“So, what is that? If that’s not apartheid, not genocide, please tell me what it is,” Hussain said.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to Irfaan Mangera, Wits alum, activist, and educator. He said, “as an alum, I feel ashamed that an institution we studied at that claimed to be progressive and justice-centric actually is the opposite, and I think more institutions need to stand up. Apartheid in South Africa didn’t end on its own.
“Institutions globally boycotting South Africa, whether it was the sports boycotts where footballers weren’t allowed to travel, academic institutions that took a principled moral stance that said we can’t be inviting academics from South Africa over if they are complicit in apartheid, and that actually applied the necessary pressure to force the white government of the time to go to the negotiating table. This is what’s required of institutions today. It needs a backbone, and it needs moral clarity on issues like this,” he said.
Opposing narratives
Though Wits has withheld its voice, actions have impact. The PSC further implicates the university in platforming Zionism through the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) propaganda and marginalising pro-Palestinian voices, with PSC events facing surveillance, censorship, and intimidation.
In response to this allegation, Jacob Boner, Wits SAUJS chairperson, said, “SAUJS operates within the guidelines of the university code of conduct at all times. Our events also often focus on being inclusive and open to all ideas and fostering constructive dialogue. PSC events, by contrast, often focus on large performative gatherings where disruption is favoured over dialogue.”
He continued, “Zionism is also a core ideology and belief for nearly all Jews and, therefore, the call that platforming Zionism on campus is problematic is a call to denounce the right of the hundreds of Jewish students who SAUJS represents to freely express themselves on campus.”
Hussain spoke to Wits Vuvuzela at a Marikana memorial on 22 August 2025, on Amic Deck, she said, “Today’s event took me three weeks to get approved, it’s not a new thing, we’ve done it previously, there’s precedence.”
“We needed an electric source. Vida wasn’t allowing us to use the electric source. Why? Did they say why? Political affiliation. That’s literally all they said.”
Wits Vuvuzela reached out to leadership but are yet to receive a response.
Silence as complicity
Wits University, west campus view of the Great Hall and Library Lawns, overlaid by the Palestinian flag and facts retrieved from OCHA. Photo: Sourced/ Wikipedia [Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98183122]. Graphic: Ekta Seebran.
The question that lingers at the steps of the Great Hall, then, is whether Wits will honour its history of resistance or let its silence mirror the volume of its part defiance. The answer to this remains to be seen, but for the PSC and their supporters, the echoes of South Africa’s history of Apartheid are heard in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Through this we are reminded that silence is, in fact, an act of violence.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits University, west campus view of the Great Hall and Library Lawns, overlaid by the Palestinian flag. Photo: Sourced/ Wikipedia [Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98183122]. Graphic: Ekta Seebran.
“Babita stood up for what was right, even when it put her at risk”, said Rakesh Deokaran
Babita Deokaran flagged R850 million in suspicious hospital payments, including funds to letterbox companies.
Civil society warns whistleblowers remain vulnerable, with government protections still inadequate.
Wicks’ book exposes a shadow network of officials and syndicates siphoning public healthcare fund.
Jeff Wicks signing his new book The Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran had to die at its launch in Killarney on August 27. Photo: Likho Mbuka
Incidents of corruption and attacks on whistleblowers are not isolated – they reveal a system that endangers those who speak out. This is the disturbing reality explored in Jeff Wicks’ new book The Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran had to die.
The book uncovers a “shadow state” of crooked officials and syndicates stealing billions meant for patients in Gauteng public hospitals, a reality that has left patients suffering in hospitals like Tembisa.
Wicks, a News24 investigative journalist and two-time recipient of the Taco Kuiper Award was in discussion with broadcaster and journalist Mandy Wiener at the book launch in Killarney, Johannesburg, on 27 August 2025.
“This book is a tribute to the courage of Babita, who refused to keep quiet, despite being confronted with powerful wrongdoers.” said Wicks.
Deokaran, flagged R850 million in suspicious hospital payments, including R60 million to letterbox companies and R500,000 for 200 pairs of denim pants. This corruption thrived in a hospital already struggling with overcrowding and staff shortages, putting patients at risk.
While the hitmen responsible for Deokaran’s killing have been arrested, the crucial questions of who ordered the murder and their motive remain unanswered. Wicks’ book confronts the authorities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), who failed to act decisively.
Despite the personal risks, Wicks left no stone unturned.
“I feel like I have failed. Four years later, not a single corrupt individual has been arrested or prosecuted. They are still breathing free air,” Wicks said, reflecting on the ongoing lack of justice.
“It was deeply emotional for us as a family”, said her brother Rakesh Deokaran.
“To see Babita’s story captured with such care and honesty reminded us of her bravery and the sacrifices she made.”
In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela, civil society activist Devoshum Moodley-Veera from the Active Citizen Movement (ACM) warned that whistleblowers continue to face job losses, character assassination, and death.
Broadcaster Mandy Wiener emphasized that state capture is far from over and that fundamental systemic changes are needed to protect those who come forward.
“The current system is far from sufficient to protect whistleblowers in a practical, real way,” she said.
Wicks is urging readers to confront corruption and advocate for stronger whistleblower protections.
FEATURED IMAGE: Jeff Wicks and Mandy Wiener on stage at the book launch on August 27. Photo: Likho Mbuka
Teachers claim broad definition of corporal punishment is making discipline in their classrooms impossible.
The BELA Act’s definition of corporal punishment expands beyond physical harm, classifying actions such as denying learners bathroom access as a form of corporal punishment.
Many say the act is impractical because learners exploit it and alternative measures are ineffective.
Vague wording in the act exposes teachers to possible prosecution for minor actions.
An overcrowded classroom in a South African public school. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
A new trend on TikTok has seen teachers demonstrating how they are applying the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act by allowing learners to go to the toilet one after the other. This comes after the act classified denying learners’ access to the bathroom as a form of corporal punishment.
While the act intends to strengthen the protection of learners, many teachers believe the clause on corporal punishment has gone too far. They argue that almost any attempt at discipline can now be seen as unlawful, leaving them without effective tools to manage their classrooms.
“I can attest that educators have the perception that the act implies that they must let learners do as they wish, [and] an attempt to discourage bad behaviour will be considered as an infringement of learners’ rights,” said Phumlani Majola, a teacher at Unity Secondary School, a public school in the East Rand.
Student teachers echo this frustration, saying the clause has made it even harder to earn respect. “Learners know we can’t discipline them, and it leaves us feeling powerless,” said Lwandile Ntsebesha, a final year Bachelor of Education student at Wits University.
Some academics are also questioning its practicality. Dr More Chakane, an education leadership and policy studies lecturer at Wits University, said the act’s definition of corporal punishment is “overreaching” and does not reflect the realities of South African classrooms.
“At best, it protects ill-disciplined learners’ rights at the expense of well-mannered and disciplined learners,” Chakane said. He said research shows alternative discipline methods promoted by the Department of Basic Education are ineffective, time-consuming, and not taken seriously by learners.
Chakane also criticised the legal framing and language. “There is a failure to indicate the level of corporal punishment – excessive or normal or modest in the legal definition of corporal punishment,” he added, calling for an amendment of the definition to curb unnecessary prosecution.
Teachers on the ground say the situation is worsened by overcrowded classrooms, lack of parental involvement, and substance abuse among learners. “Learners come to school under the influence of alcohol and drugs … [and] parents don’t attend parental meetings and disciplinary hearings,” said Majola.
“If they [parents] do attend meetings, they too are frustrated by their children. They directly request you as an educator to use harsher measures to improve learner behaviour,” Majola added.
While the BELA Act is intended to safeguard learners’ rights, teachers are calling for more training, support, and amendments that take the realities of South African classrooms into account.
FEATURED IMAGE: A classroom in a South African public school. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
Online gambling is turning into an addiction for South Africa’s young and vulnerable.
Gambling popularly takes place on casino floors, but now we have our very own slot machines in our back pocket. Over the past five years, youth gambling in South Africa has been on a steady increase, and for some has turned into full blown addiction.
From Betway to Hollywoodbets, South Africans have a varietyof platforms to place their bets. Constant marketing and social media screengrabs of other users’ wins, fueling participation.
A South African online research company, Infoquest, conducted a study in 2024, to track the habits of approximately 300 South African gamblers. In 2025, a follow-up study was conducted to indicate the various trends that took place over the period.
The study shows that online gaming and betting remain favourites among South Africans, aged 18- 35, while the National Lottery is popular among older gamblers.
As the Boomer generation slowly stops visiting casinos and the consumer numbers for casinos begins to decline, online gambling continues to surge.
In a country that has a high youth unemployment rate, sitting at 46.1% for those aged 15 –34 in the second quarter of 2025, it is not shocking to see a rise in fast money side quests and high gambling amongst the youth.
Celebrities and influencers are used to help promote and advertise these platforms. South Africa’s Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, plays for the Sharks rugby team, a team which is sponsored by Hollywoodbets. This Sponsorship indirectly places Kolisi and other players in a position where they are associated with the platform.
Online gambling can be very addictive, as the platforms and their algorithms are designed to keep the consumer engaged for long periods of time. This can lead to increased financial risk-taking, which is often short-lived as they lose their money.
By applying game design elements to these platforms, gamers find enjoyment as they receive rewards, and this keeps them engaged and wanting to bet more often. Gamers can earn points, advance to other levels and receive rewards as an incentive to continue playing.
The National Gambling Board (NGB) needs to have tighter regulations in place to ensure that young South Africans can mitigate the risks of addiction from online betting.
Provincial Gambling Boards, should be granted the right to enforce regulations on gambling platforms, as they currently have no jurisdiction when it involves online gambling and betting, as these are under national jurisdiction. They should be able to monitor and audit online gambling platforms, regulate online marketing and advertising, and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Online gambling poses severe risks. Urgent attention to this matter, transparent industry practices and stronger governmental regulations are essential in order to mitigate the harm that comes with online gambling.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bonolo Mokonoto. Photo: File/ Paul Botes
Connected through the stream but disconnected through ideology, the great ‘coloured’ debate.
Tyla has just released her new EP, WWP, with four songs.
Despite chatter that the EP is a ‘flop’, streaming numbers are soaring.
Many Americans refuse to respect South Africa’s ‘coloured’ history but demand respect for themselves.
The newly appointed ambassador for the South African coloured community, Tyla, has just released her new Extended Play (EP), yet the online conversation always seems to revert to her identity.
Tyla released her EP ‘We Wanna Party’ (WWP) a month ago and conversation has swirled, with discussions over whether the released music was a ‘flop’ or not. Short answer: it was not.
In an article written in OkayAfrica, it was stressed that in the digital age we can no longer measure an artist’s success through units of sold music, but rather, through number of streams, and Tyla’s streaming stats are soaring, with WWP gaining over 60 million streams on Spotify, according to the OkayAfrica.
This makes you wonder why narratives about her downfall have been spreading. Well, there is one persisting reason, she’s coloured, and African Americans don’t like – and refuse to understand – that.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to Feven Merid, a student at Pitzer College in California who spent one month studying at Wits University earlier this year. Merid said, “I think that the way that she’s been received recently, especially with her new EP and how she has identified herself, has been mistargeted in a way.”
“Tyla, who proudly identifies with her South African culture, […] comes to the States, a place where slavery still has a very painful meaning for Black Americans, I think it kind of felt like a bit of a wound opening for many Black Americans,” she said.
The word ‘coloured’ in America, is associated with the segregated Jim Crow era. The one-drop rule was enforced, where anyone with the slightest bit of African DNA was classified as black tomaintain the purity of the white American race. So, in that context, Tyla is considered black.
The Root, an African American online magazine, attributed her EP’s perceived ‘flop’ and prospected future downfall to her racial identification, citing Joe Budden, a podcast host, who implied the ignorance of her youth caused the ‘mistake’.
“As a young artist in America, you should read the room,” he said.
However, as a South African and in a world that no longer solely caters to the US, why can’t mutual understanding and respect be foregrounded rather than forcing assimilation?
Rosey Gold, a European DJ living in South Africa, explained it well, saying that Tyla never expected Americans to use the terminology, she just expected an understanding of who she is and where she came from.
Significantly, Tyla’s audience is not limited to America. According to Music Metrics Vault, North America doesn’t even make up the top five of singer’s global streams. So, maybe Tyla isn’t the one who needs to ‘read the room’.
FEATURED IMAGE: South African artist, Tyla. Photo: Supplied/Wikipedia [WBNX-TV 55, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons].
Four months later, a student’s mental health complaint is still unresolved.
Accountability gap exposed.
Investigation stalled by anonymity issues.
Matter escalated to higher authorities.
When we first reported on the disturbing experiences of a student seeking mental health support at Wits University’s Campus Health and Wellness Centre in May, the hope was that the university would take swift and decisive action to address the reported neglect and mistreatment.
A student had shared painful stories of being dismissed, scolded, and left without proper care during their most vulnerable moments. The troubling accounts raised serious questions about the quality and accountability of mental health services on campus.
In May, the Centre’s temporary stand-in, Brian Jele, a Primary Health Care Nurse, assured WITS VUVUZELA that the matter would be reported to the head of department, Tshidiso Ntshabele, who was expected to return soon. He highlighted the availability of a suggestion box for students to report issues anonymously.
On May 8, 2025, just a few days after Ntshabele’s return, WITS VUVUZELA visited the Centre to ensure he was updated on the allegations. During our meeting, Ntshabele requested that WITS VUVUZELA arrange a meeting with the student outside of Campus Health so he could hear the student’s side of the story.
Later that same day, after leaving his office, WITS VUVUZELA reached out to the student to set up the meeting. However, the student declined, saying, “I really don’t think I want to. I don’t feel comfortable with my anonymity now being compromised, so no!” said the student, who asked to remain anonymous.
Four months later, has anything changed?
After the failed meeting with the student in May, business continued as usual. Since then, no investigation, suspension, or any form of disciplinary action has been taken against the two nurses involved.
Ntshabele said he could not proceed with any investigation without knowing the identity of the complainant.
“I do not know who the student is; I cannot investigate if I don’t know who the person is. Part of the investigation, according to our complex procedure, is that I must also interact with the complainant,” said Ntshabele.
When Wits Vuvuzela asked what would happen if the student was too afraid to return to the Centre to go through the investigation process, Ntshabele emphasised that the student’s presence was still required.
“We are dealing with sensitive matters involving someone’s confidential health information. For me to investigate, I need to interview that person and find out exactly what went wrong, so that I can also ask relevant questions,” he said.
This raises questions about the purpose of the suggestion box, which allows students to submit complaints anonymously.
When asked what changes had been made to improve mental health care and ensure students are treated with greater respect and kindness, Ntshabele said no changes had been implemented because no investigation had taken place. “If I did not investigate or consider an investigation, I can’t give a report to say this is what I found. Only if I had found something could we introduce and implement changes,” he said. Ntshabele added that until he is able to interact with the student directly, he would not know where the department is lacking or what improvements are needed.
Head of department’s office. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
Following the May publication of this story, WITS VUVUZELA sought to understand how staff at the Campus Health and Wellness Centre are trained and supported to better understand students’ mental health needs and to treat them with empathy rather than judgment.
Ntshabele said he had never received a complaint that any staff member had judged a student, adding that all mental health practitioners at the Centre are specialists with formal qualifications in the field. “Part of the mental health curriculum, when you are a nurse, is knowing that you must be non-judgemental,” he said.
“There are in-service training sessions that staff members attend, including a customer management course. If a specific staff member is found lacking, we identify the weakness, determine the area in which they are struggling, and then work to improve and empower them,” he added.
Ntshabele urged students who may still feel hesitant or fearful about seeking mental health services from Campus Health, to reach out to him directly, “The most important thing is for those students to tell me exactly what they are scared of and why they are fearful.”
“This clinic is for them, and no student should feel afraid. We are here to assist, particularly those with mental health conditions, because we know that for them to excel academically, they need to be well,” he continued.
Mental health is a serious condition, and at universities many students suffer from it. After discovering that Campus Health could not carry out an investigation because the student chose not to come forward, it became crucial to find out whether there is a higher authority that can intervene to ensure the complaint is properly addressed.
The matter was then escalated to the Dean of Students, Jerome September, who stated that all complaints are taken very seriously and investigated to the best of their ability. “Complaints are in the first instance made at the clinic, and these can be escalated to me as Dean of Student Affairs,” he said.
“Students are also able to lodge complaints through the Wits Integrity Line,” he added. September further requested that the affected student reach out to him directly so he can assist in resolving the matter.
FEATURED IMAGE: Campus Health And Wellness Centre corridors. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
At Wits University, physical and mental health declines prompt policy discussion on drug and tobacco abuse.
Substance abuse, specifically drug and tobacco use, is a common part of student culture at Wits.
In response to this, harm reduction is emerging as a more practical way to help those who are struggling.
A new bill on tobacco and e-cigarette control is being considered as a crucial step in addressing the problem at a policy level.
A walk past the Matrix, the Amphitheatre, or even Noswall Hall, brings the pungent scent of drugs on the breeze. It’s a common scene: groups huddled on benches, a joint, cigarette or vape passed between fingers. For many, whether from peer pressure, experimentation or the woes of life, it’s a “jol to zol” as a university student.
This casual normalisation of substance use on campus, however, is always concerning.
The School of Social Sciences addressed drug and tobacco use amongst students as a crisis demanding new policy solutions at a youth health talk on August 21.
For the SRC’s Health and Community Outreach Officer, Musawenkosi Hadebe, the issue is clear. “Particularly [with] students in the Wits Readmission Committee, we see substance abuse as a leading cause for academic failure,” she said.
So, what’s being done to address this?
In a proactive step towards reducing substance abuse, the national government is considering implementing the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
The Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Charity Monareng advocates for its passing into law: “I believe that more pressure from youth voices, through signing the petition to pass the bill, is a proactive step forward towards attempting to reduce the high prevalence of substance abuse,” said Monareng.
The proposed bill aims to regulate the sale, advertising, and packaging of tobacco products and e-cigarettes. It seeks to control their manufacturing, prohibit sales to children, and ban free distribution and sales through vending machines.
While the Wits Student Code of Conduct prohibits the use of illegal substances on campus, the issue remains rife.
However, a new approach is gaining traction. Rather than simply condemning drug use, many are turning to harm reduction, a strategy that acknowledges that people using substances should focus on minimising the risks.
“Rather than demand complete abstinence, I believe in practical tips that minimise effects as the goal is to meet people ‘where they’re at’,” explained Sive Mijinde, a researcher and project coordinator at OUT LGBT Wellbeing.
For students looking for support, the university’s Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) provides a safe space. Students struggling with substance abuse are provided with healthy coping mechanisms and pathways to wellness.
FEATURED IMAGE: Close up of a joint between a person’s fingers. Photo: Elsa Olofsson/Unsplash
Four Wits Tang Soo Do athletes kicked their way past a funding shortfall, bringing home medals for a sport that almost left them behind.
The athletes represented South Africa at the 2025 Tang Soo Do World Championships in Scotland.
Each athlete won at least two medals, and brought home a total of 11.
This was the club’s first international competition since the covid-19 pandemic.
Striking gold on Scottish soil, four Wits Tang Soo Do athletes — Madiala Leputu, Treyen Pillay, Thomas Mbombi, and Michael Naidoo — returned to South Africa as medalists and champions of the 2025 World Tang Soo Do Championships.
The victory was particularly meaningful as it came after seven teammates had to pull out because of a lack of funding.
Lethabo Rabothata, the club’s chairperson, highlighted the significance of attending an international tournament for the first time since the covid-19 pandemic.
From left to right: Treyen Pillay, Thomas Mbombi, Michael Naidoo, Madiala Leputu. Photo: Supplied/Lethabo Rabothata
The scale of the achievement only truly sank in for Mbombi once he was back home. After winning a gold medal in open hand forms and two silvers in weapon forms and point sparring, the reality of the moment hit him.
“Hey, you went overseas. That was a world championship stage kind of a situation. Not just another tournament,” he reflected.
Pillay battled both his opponents and a bout of the flu that struck on the flight to Scotland. Despite considering withdrawal, he fought on.
“My family spent a lot of money to get me here, and I trained really hard for more than a year, twice a day, to get to this point,” he said.
His perseverance paid off; he earned a gold in weapon forms and two silvers in open hand forms and point sparring.
The championships was a source of inspiration for Leputu, “We came back with some experience of how to, you know, up our training. It was all worth it,” he said, securing gold in open hand forms.
Naidoo‘s gold medal was not just a personal achievement but a “rare honour” to represent his country on a global stage.
Ultimately, the team’s Wits Tang Soo Do instructor, Master Gregory Hart, praised the team, “I am very impressed with those young men.”
FEATURED IMAGE: The Wits Tang Soo Do athletes posing with their medallions at the World Championships in Scotland. Photo: Supplied/Lethabo Rabothata
National Dialogue exposes deep cracks between citizens and state officials, raises doubts about its impact.
Tensions rose during the launch of the National Dialogue at UNISA in Pretoria, where disruptions overshadowed the opening session.
Former President Thabo Mbeki, alongside several organisations and political parties, withdrew from the process over concerns about credibility.
Citizens and students voiced disappointment at what they described as exclusion and lack of genuine representation.
The first National Convention in Pretoria over the weekend was intended to begin shaping a shared national vision and create a space for forthcoming dialogue. However, the event revealed a clear disconnect between government officials and ordinary citizens.
Audience members during Day 1 of the first National Convention of the National Dialogue of South Africa at Unisa. Photo: Likho Mbuka
Proceedings on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the opening of the National Dialogue at UNISA in Pretoria, were interrupted when individuals not listed as panellists attempted to force their way onto the stage, demanding to speak before President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The event began with a welcoming address by UNISA Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula, followed by a musical performance.
Tensions unfolded shortly after panellists were invited to the stage for the first engagement session before the president’s address.
While panellists representing the citizen-led National Dialogue roadmap – a framework drawn up by civil society groups and legacy foundations – were called to the stage, two men not on the list rushed the stage.
They demanded to speak ahead of Ramaphosa and other high-profile delegates. They were asked to respect the process and calmly escorted off the stage.
The day had already been marked by an earlier disruption when an attendee collapsed, prompting a brief pause while emergency personnel provided medical assistance. Delegates sang them off with struggle songs until order was restored.
The dialogue itself opened under a cloud of eleventh-hour withdrawals. Former President Thabo Mbeki, the Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk Foundations, several Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, and several civil society organisations pulled out of the process. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), also withdrew, accusing the African National Congress of hijacking the initiative for political gain ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bengu-Motsiri said,
“Our participation will be anchored in the values of the ANC, the resolutions of our national conferences, and the current lived experiences of our people,” she said.
Not everyone left convinced. Wits University first-year politics student, Sekhu Vivian Lerato, said she had hoped to witness inclusivity at work, but the disruptions only underscored her concerns.
“It felt more about political optics than citizens’ voices,” she said.
President Ramaphosa, however, cast the Dialogue in more optimistic terms, calling it “the real conversation” for South Africans to confront poverty, inequality, and poor service delivery.”
Whether the excluded voices will accept that invitation remains an open question.
FEATURED IMAGE: President Cyril Ramaphosa during Day 1 of the first National Convention of the National Dialogue of South Africa at Unisa’s Pretoria Main Campus. Photo: Likho Mbuka
As a student, budgeting is everything, but what happens when choosing cheap comes with human consequences?
A perfect morning: Well rested, clear mind, and Temu order en route. It’s a good day…but not for everyone.
At that very same moment, a clothing manufacturer, once with a booming business, now suffers the consequences of fast fashion, starting their morning by letting go of workers. And in a small town in China, a dedicated, but exploited, worker faces the toll of another 75-hour week. All working to satisfy eager consumers.
‘Smashing and grabbing’ the South African economy
Like a thunderstorm, Shein emerged in South Africa in 2020, and not so long after followed the lightening that is Temu, in 2024. Shoppers scrambled online following the movement toward cheap products.
Newzroom Africarecently reported that as Shein and Temu grow, more jobs in South Africa will be at risk, with News24 reporting that 8000 jobs have already been lost in the past four years. Adding insult to injury, the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) estimates that with Shein and Temu’s expansion into the local market, by the year 2030, 34 000 local jobs will be lost.
In an interview with Newzroom Africa, Simon Eppel of Southern Africa Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) said, “This is not just a clothing, textile, footwear, and leather problem. Some of these platforms […] ship and sell other goods, so in fact this affects the entire economy.”
Eppel called this ‘smash-and-grab’ economics, “these online offshore retailers are conducting business in the country at all costs to us”. Simply put, Shein and Temu entered the market aggressively, attracted local consumers with low prices, and ate into the local market share.
Compounding the problem, according to the Daily Investor, Shein and Temu have been exploiting an import rule, allowing them to evade paying VAT on packages valued under R500. To level the playing field, however, SARS recently revised this rule, requiring all imported goods to pay both a 20% flat rate and the standard 15% VAT.
However, the humanitarian impact would remain.
75-hours later…
Early this year the BBC published an investigation into ‘Shein village’, where nests of garment factories are located, in the Panyu district of Guangzhou, China.
Speaking to workers and owners of 10 factories in the district, journalist Laura Bicker found that despite Chinese labour laws setting the working week limit at 40 hours, the Shein workforce charge through 75-hour long working weeks, which equates to 15 hours a day over five days or 12.5 hours over six days.
On top of this, low wages and the use of child labour add to the unethical labour practices at these factories.
Voices of young consumers
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to Thiko Rautshahalo, B.A. Law student, who said that she, “use[s] Shein and Temu for a certain aesthetic, when you go to [local stores] you just can’t find certain aesthetics, it’s also cheaper.”
Kirsten Calvert, Wits honours in psychology student, shared different sentiments about the company, saying, “I ordered clothes but sent them all back […] I realised that one quality thing is better than ten bad [quality] things.”
As students, it can be difficult to find clothing options that fit your style and are affordable, but there are many more sustainable alternatives, such as thrifting. On our very cown ampus we have Zaza Clothing, which you can find on the first floor in the matrix. Here you can shop sustainably while still keeping your budget in mind.
So, next time you click ‘purchase’ on Shein or Temu, consider what you are truly paying for.
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, […]
