Day 1: In-depth begins

Photo: Raquel De Canha

So the dreaded day finally is upon us, the start of in-depth, when I first applied for honours this year I knew that it was going to be difficult but really I had no idea. This year has definitely been the most difficult year of my life, and I have a feeling the past 8 months were just the tip of the iceberg the next 4 weeks may just be the toughest yet.

The whole year in-depth has been spoken about in hushed tones and was a massive question mark for the whole class. The aim of the in-depth project is to research an area in Johannesburg where we can immerse ourselves in the community to produce a 2000 word feature story as well as a short video that is related to our feature.

It was only on Monday that we were told that we would be working in Mayfair and Fordsburg. While I thought I might be lucky because my father grew up in the area I was soon going to learn that there was a lot more to in-depth then I initially thought.

Day 1 of in-depth involved a walking tour of the area and really it was quite an eye opener for me and for a lot of the tour I felt uncomfortable. This was mainly because I felt as though I was invading a space where people live and here I am with my notebook and cameras, studying and observing the community through a looking glass.

I have lived in Johannesburg my whole life and there is something so strange about feeling like a tourist in a different part of your city it was such an amazing experience.

Photo: Raquel De Canha

We stated our tour at the Fietas Museum in Fourteenth Street, which was once considered the shopping district of Johannesburg where people from around the world would come and do business. Families would live above the shops and take turns to come and man the shops. In 1977 however, the traders were evicted by the apartheid government and forced to take up space in the Oriental Plaza. Some of the buildings were destroyed and today the road is filled with dilapidated buildings and litter.

As we continued our tour it became a throw back on all the stories my father used to tell me of Central road and 8^th avenue and to be seeing it only in my adulthood I felt as if I was trying to capture what it really was like for him. I wondered how my dad would feel seeing the space he grew up and how much of it had changed and how much had remained the same.

As we walked up Main Road we were engulfed by the smell of spices and music pumping from cars and stores and as we carried on up the road you could start to see the change of nationalities that occupied the stores.

Photo: Raquel De Canha

Just off Main road we came to what is affectionately known as “Little Mogadishu” it’s there that we met with a very hospitable Amir Sheikh, the chairperson of the Somali Community Association. Amir explained the history of Somali migrants in the area. He then took us on a tour of the community where we got a real taste of their culture. We were given a taste of traditional Somali food and Amir then treated us to a trip to an Ethiopian coffee shop. Well let me tell you I have never tasted coffee quite as delicious as the coffee I had! It was paired with popcorn and had the most amazing fragrance and nutty undertone and it may have just ruined all other coffee for me.

I can openly say that in a matter of a few hours I managed to learn more about my city then I have learnt in my whole lifetime. I am truly grateful for this experience and am looking forward to see what comes from the rest of this adventure.

Witsies brain games

It is almost exam time and students are getting ready to deal with the stress of studying. 

We decided to exercise Witsies brains by playing a few games with them. 

First SRC Circus at Wits

This year SRC election was one to be watched with confusion, brawls and cancelled events.

The parties registered to run for the 2016 SRC elections this year included the Wits Economic Freedom Fighters, Project W, the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) and Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO).

Campaigning started off with a bang this year when the annual Student Representative Council (SRC) debate was cancelled after a fight broke out between parties.

The first official circus took place on Thursday and parties took turns discussing their memorandums for 2016 and students had the opportunity to question the candidates on the parties policies and topics that concern students at the moment.  

Here are some of the highlights of the event.

 

Kicks for a cause

KICKS FOR A CAUSE: Sibangani Ncube the founder of Kicks for Charity, standing outside the clothing store debute in Braamfontien on Wednesday, where people can donate their old sneakers for kids that can’t afford them. Photo by: Raquel De Canha

 

Sneaker owners in and around Johannesburg are being called to donate a pair of their old takkies to make the day of some one less fortunate.

Sneakers have always been an important part of Sibanani Ncubes life. Now he has decided to spread a little joy this Mandela Day, by inviting people to come to the debuted store in Braamfontien to donate a pair of sneakers to those who would love them but just cant afford a pair themselves.

Kicks for Charity was formed in 2014, when Siba Ncube, challenged his friends to donate a pair of shoes, the hope was to collect 24 pairs but by Mandela day, they had surpassed this target and collected a total of 350 sneakers. These were then cleaned and donated to the Carl Sithole orphanage in Klipspruit.

This year they are hoping to top that with donations form people like Black Coffee and other well-known locals. “This year we want to donate to more orphanages in Joburg by the 18^th of July ”

“My birthday is in Jan and every year I knew all I wanted was a pair sneakers. But because of the time of the year, nobody had money so often I wouldn’t get a gift.” Ncube said. This made him think of those less fortunate. “Normally these kids are given school shoes and uniforms around this time of year. For me these show no personal identity. But sneakers, you can tell a lot about a person by the kicks they wear.” so Ncube created Kicks for Charity.

“Most guys who collect sneakers have had hand-me-downs. As a kid my cousins would often pass their kicks down to me. “Once he was old enough all Ncube wanted to do was work so that he could add to his collection of sneakers.

It seems the sneaker culture in Johannesburg is big, so if you have a pair of kicks that you haven’t worn in a while, head down to debute in Braamfontien, and donate.

The Chronicles of a Catholic Schoolgirl

I like to think I am a modern woman: you know, I wear bold red lipstick, I have no problem with bringing home the bacon and I can navigate myself around a killer Instagram selfie.

 

If I am speaking honestly, I can admit that I have lived a relatively sheltered life and while I often joke that I am plagued by ‘Catholic guilt,’ the older I get the more I realise my conscience really does live in-between church pews and the confessional both.

 

I grew up around the Catholic calendar largely because I attended an all-girls convent primary school. This ensured that my choices were constantly centred around, “What would a good Catholic girl do?” Day-after-day the entire congregation of young Catholic schoolgirls gathered in the quad for morning prayers and as Wednesdays approached, so did mass day.  On top of all of this, my grandmother would double and triple-check that I attended mass every Sunday too; and if she got her way, I would be sitting front row!

 

When I got to high school, the bitchiness of an all-girls school got too much for me and so I made the decision to move to a co-ed school where I was introduced to a whole new world (cue Aladdin soundtrack). It was here that my religious obligations fell to the wayside. Church was no longer always in my face and while I thought that was it; I had no idea just how deep the impact religion had on me. I began noticing how Catholicism had infiltrated almost every aspect of my life, when I realized how I became plagued with guilt and a sense of shame whenever I would question it – hence the term, ‘Catholic guilt.’

 

My most recent experience of Catholic guilt came with the new discovery of Homo Naledi. All my life I had been taught to believe that the existence of humanity emerged from God’s creation of Adam and Eve; but with Homo Naledi being the second missing link to confirm the Theory of Evolution. What should I believe? I feel as though it’s reaching a point where I can no longer deny scientific facts and this is where my guilt comes in (cue grandmother shaking head in shame).

 

Now here’s the part where it gets tricky; I feel like we all like to indulge in a bit of mindless TV watching when we’re taking a break form the everyday rat-race, but does that mean I’m a sloth? According to the Bible, sloth is considered as one of the seven deadly sins and this encompasses carelessness and laziness. Surely St. Peter isn’t going to forbid me from entering the Pearly Gates because of a Kardashian’s marathon every now and then? I mean, shouldn’t feeling guilty be enough? I do work hard on other days.

 

I guess it’s safe to say that I’m stuck with Catholic guilt for as long as I shall live, but hey, at least my gran will be happy and give a big Hallelujah to that!

 

Wits ranked top University in South Africa.

On Monday Witsies woke up to the news that the University of the Witwatersrand is the best ranked university in South Africa.

In the annual ranking compiled by the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR), Wits was ranked, the top tertiary institute in South Africa for the second year in a row.

“I feel proud to be a part of a well renowned university and it makes me proud to put Wits on my CV.” Masters student Jessica Pereira told vuvuzela.

However, Wits has fallen down the rankings from its standing last year from 114 to 149. This is in comparison to its rival university, University of Cape Town – that has climbed the ranks in the past year from 267 to 248.

As expected, the American universities dominated the top 20 positions with Harvard University securing the first place, followed by Stanford University and then by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

According to CWUR, Wits has been ranked wit in the top 100 universities in the world, for its quality of education and employment of alumni in top positions.

The rankings are determined through a list of criteria that involve: how many university alumni and faculty members have won international awards and how many hold top executive jobs, the quality of education, publications, influence, citations and the broad impact of the university.

Wits was ranked on par with the University of Cape Town with regards to influence and patent power.

Despite a few ups and downs in the global rankings, South African Universities in general dropped in score from 2014. Other South African universities that made the top 1000 include the Western Cape’s Stellenbosch University (306), the University of KwaZulu Natal (478) and the University of Pretoria (678).

Last year Vice Chancellor Prof. Adam Habib warned to take the ranking lightly as different ranking systems use different criteria for universities.

Timeline: the SRC campaign so far

On Friday the University of the Witswatersrand released a statement around the suspension of students and the exclusion of the Wits EFF society. This comes after a disruption that was initiated by the Wits EFF at the SRC debate which ended in a physical altercation between parties. It was the start of an unusual campaign season.

This year four parties registered to run for the 2016 SRC elections these included the Wits Economic Freedom Fighters, Project W, the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) and Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO).

 

Cancelled SRC debate

Campaigning started off with a bang this year when the annual Student Representative Council (SRC) debate was cancelled after a fight broke out between parties.

Members of the Wits EFF filled the Great Hall stage dancing and chanting “No SRC!” The party continued to disrupt the proceedings of the debate.

The organisers, campus control head of investigations Michael Mahada, and campaign managers then went backstage for an emergency meeting. The group then came out and announced that the debate was cancelled. Chief electoral officer, Thembi Dlamini explained that the cancellation was based on a “collective decision”.

Exceptionally disappointed with the puerile & disruptive actions of Wits EFF. For Pete’s sake debate ideas & win argument through persuasion

— Kenneth Thobejane (@ramabifiT) August 22, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jshttps://youtu.be/pqncITN1Qug

 

Circus Flop

Then more confusion hit at what was supposed to be the first campaigning circus for the year. Only the PYA and a few Wits EFF candidates arrived at the FNB building on Wednesday. According to PYA’s Twitter account, supporters were requested to meet at 1:20pm at the FNB building, for an official election circus. But on arrival it seemed that there was no organisation for the event and only a few PYA candidates handing out pamphlets. A handful of PYA members were handing out pamphlets encouraging students to vote for their party. When asked, the candidates told those that gathered that they were waiting on the party’s officials and the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC), none of whom showed up. PYA representatives told Wits Vuvuzela that, “It seems as though only Project W were made aware of the postponement, because it was only the EFF and the PYA that prepared for today’s circus.” What seemed at first, to be a defiance of the cancellation to those who knew about it turned into a simple misunderstanding and miscommunication on the part of the candidates and their parties.

We will be at FNB today for the first official election circus, 1:20pm! Come through, meet your PYA candidates and hear why #PYALEADS!

— WitsPYA (@WitsPYA) August 19, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The show goes on with circus at the Matrix

On Thursday the first organised and official campus circus was held at the Matrix on Wits East campus. Students were encouraged to question candidates on issues surrounding party mandates and burning topics related to the university. While at one point the EFF caused a bit of a disruption, all in all the circus went off with no major incidents.

Suspension of Wits EFF and students involved in debate disruption

On Friday the EFF were not at the second circus that was held at the Wits Medical campus. That evening at 6:30pm a statement was emailed to the Wits student body from the Council of the University of the Witwatersrand. The document gave comment on the decisions to suspend the Wits EFF as a society and said some of the students involved in the fighting at the Tuesday debate would be suspended.

@WitsElections @WitsUniversity has decided to expel us and remove @WitsEFF as a society at Wits KUBI!!!!! — EFF expelled at wits (@lovezamazama) August 21, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Varsity is a place where young intellectuals meet,discuss & bring new ideas, a hub for challenging the status quo so reinstate Wits EFF now

— Modibe J Modiba (@10dibz) August 21, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

 

Wits Transformation Meeting

Students of the Wits politics department initiated and held a meeting where Witsies could discuss their concerns with transformation at the university. 26 March 2015

Zinhle Manzini poses with her handmade sign in solidarity with the #RhodesSoWhite campaign, after speaking her mind at the #TransformWits meeting. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Tshepo Moloi shows his solidarity with the students fighting for transformation at Wits. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Panashe Chigumadzi demands an “end to white supremacy and capitalist patriarchy” at Wits. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Tyamai Chingovera takes part in the #RhodesMustFall campaign on the Wits Great Hall steps. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Vuyani Pambo of the Wits EFF calls on students to take action in order to transform and create change at Wits. Photo: Raquel De Canha

A students creates a sign that attacks Cecil John Rhodes’ legacy. Photo: Raquel De Canha

The #TransformWits meeting ended with students protesting outside the Wits Great Hall, holding signs in solidarity with the #RhodesMustFall campaign. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Students call for a change in the names of buildings at Wits, including Jan Smuts. Photo: Raquel De Canha

Q&A with Nina Hastie

NINA HASTIE is one of South Africa’s up and coming female comedians’. You might recognise her as a regular on shows like Late Night News with Loyiso, Next of Next Week, Cliff Central and more. She will also be performing in an upcoming show with Nik Rabinowits called “What the EFF”. She spoke to Wits Vuvuzela about freedom of speech for comedians in South Africa.   

 

Do you think South Africa allows for comedians to freely express themselves?

 

Absolutely, where else are you able to talk about our presidents “Special Showers”, his nine wives and his 365 kids for each day of the year?

 

Why do you think comedians get away with saying some of the things they say?

 

I think that it is all about the approach. Many artists have great material but don’t know how to deliver it, so it comes off as really rude.
It takes time to work on this skill and perfect a set so as to not just come across as a screamer.

 

Where do you think the line between freedom of expression and hate speech is for comedians?

 

There is a line?? Ooops.

 

Are their some topics that comedians should avoid?

 

Personal issues such as rape and the holocaust are not ideal. You also wouldn’t pick on something out of people’s control such as a disability. Just ask them if they are lazy.

 

Have you ever said something you regret? If so how did you deal with it?

 

A few time’s I have pushed the bar to see how far I can take an audience with me. You just tone it back down and be quick with what you say next.

 

First published in Wits Vuvuzela

Review: Furious 7

Movie: The Fast and the Furious 7

Cast: Paul Walker, Vin Deislel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham and Michelle Rodriguez.

Directed by: James Wan 

Vuvuzela Rating: 7/10

 

Fast cars, loud music and action. Everything you really want from a Fast and Furious movie. 

This time round however, there was defiantly more emotion and you could feel it the moment Paul walker appeared on the screen. 

The seventh installation of the multimillion dollar franchise became an emotional tribute to its late star, Paul Walker. Walker died tragically in a car accident on November 30 2013 when the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT he was in lost control and burst into flames in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, as he was leaving a charity event.

This installment is supposed to be the best yet, and it’s clear that the cast and production crew were dedicated to making it so for Walker and his family. But this time around, what 

Many had anticipated that the franchise would kill off Walker’s character due to his death, but the directors went another way.

Cable and Cody Walker– Paul Walker’s brothers – joined the cast to see the movie through to the end. 

The movie sees it’s lead characters having to deal with the some of the repercussions of  Fast & Furious 6, the last film,  where Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his team crushed a British criminal named Owen Shaw. 

Now, Shaw’s older brother Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is seeking revenge. Deckard murders a member of Dominic’s crew, attempts to blow up his home and attacks his secret agent friend, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). 

The crew join forces with a government operative named Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) and the madness begins. Including stunts that only the Fast and Furious team could pull off. Skydiving out of planes behind the wheel of their custom cars, flying a Lykan HyperSport through 3 skyscrapers in Ahbu Dabi and running off a buss as it falls of a cliff. All in the name of family. 

All in all, the movie is a typical Fast and Furious film, and it seems they keep getting better. Its worth the watch. A fine tribute to Paul Walker and a pleasure for adrenalin junkies.  

First published in Wits Vuvuzela