2 4 8

Explore SciFest What Trumps Making sanitary pads

2017 Tour de success means more accessible at
Science for us UCKAR

The Oppidan Press Edition 2, 11 March 2017

Does Grahamstown
Illustration by Brendon Reyneke
Photograph: Sourced
need a Batman?
2 The Oppidan Press 11 March 2017
News Features
SciFest returns for 21st year
Elle Williams
R
eturning for its 21st year,
South Africas National Sci-
ence Festival commonly
known as SciFest is just around
the corner, running from 8 to 14
March 2017. The theme this year
is Tour de Science, which aims to
take you on a journey through the
different aspects of science.
The purpose of SciFest is to make
science fun and accessible to all.
SciFest Manager, Pumza Tshebe,
believes there are gaps in the South
African education system. She said,
SciFest aims to provide a platform
for learners and teachers in new
What does Human Rights Day mean to you?
21 March marks the historic day commemorating the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, commonly known as Human
Rights Day. The upcoming public holiday serves as a reminder of past events and provides an opportunity for
South Africans to reflect on the countrys progress in regards to human rights.By Elle Williams.
educational concepts, including Tshebe said, This is a global concept
improving teaching methods with and at Scifest, we feel we need to
regards to science and encouraging align with this notion as a national
learners to see it in a different light. science festival and show our support
Every years theme brings for the UN.
something new and diverse to the The declaration and theme has
festival, which SciFest Africa tries made the festival consider how
to align with UN declarations. The science can make tourism greener.
UN declared that this is the year for We have gone beyond this year
sustainable tourism for develop- in terms of trying to make SciFest
ment. Tshebe stated, This years a greener festival; for example, we
theme encourages contributors to uploaded the program and informa-
take visitors on a journey about their tion online, added Tshebe. This no-
scientific background and the mile- tion is continued, including lectures
stones which have been achieved in on renewable energy and the effect
science. This is important in South that plastic shopping bags have on
Africa as tourism generates income the environment.
and employment opportunities. SciFest is one for all ages. The
In South Africa we need to be care-
ful talking about rights. Freedom
of expression and the right to vote
is not enough. We need to think
about the second generation. We
need the right to equal housing and
healthcare for everyone. Fourth-
year Journalism student, Thingo
Mthombeni.
Solidarity within interna-
tional relations is primarily
important.
Television production
manager, Paddy Donnelly.
We all deserve the right to live in
an integrated community, where
different races come together, and to
have the same rights. It is important
for us to commemorate the happen-
ings of the past and to remember
that all are equal in our society.
Psychology Masters student Zipho
Dolamo.
Education is a very important and
essential right to everyone worldwide.
For me, the right to safety is the most
important, and trumps all other rights.
I first became aware that a lot of chil-
dren live in unsafe environments when
I was teaching last year. It is vital to
look after the welfare of South Africas
youth. English Masters student,
Oriole Friedemann.
workshops are interactive, bringing
the fun into science while encourag-
ing public participation. The lectures
are a platform for scientists to exhibit
their work and research, and are a
great opportunity for everyone to
expand their scientific knowledge.
The festival is free to enter, but it
SEEK
is encouraged that all festival-goers
3x10
register at the reception desk at the
08.0
1820 Settlers National Monument. GRAH
Some workshops and lectures do
require tickets to be bought with
a price of around R25. This years
festival is not to be missed, so go
along and enhance your scientific TOUR DE SCIENCE
2-8 MARCH 2017
knowledge whilst having fun with The Science
www.scifest.org.za
your friends. and accessible to everyone. Photo: SOURCED.
There are many universities around the world to which students can go on
exchange. Photo: LAUREN BUCKLE.
Widening the scope of going
on exchange
Holly Allison
Approximately 20% of the student
body at UCKAR is made up of
international students and inter-
nationalism is a major tenet within
the University. However, there is a
difference concerning the idea of
becoming an exchange student and
going overseas to do so.
UCKAR has partnerships with
a number of universities across
the world. However, only two are
in Africa, in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Although students at UCKAR are
free to attend any university within
the exchange program, the emphasis
does fall upon attending Western
universities. This may be because of
common interest in these countries
or the institutions willingness to
form a partnership. However, it does
show the gap in such an exchange
between African universities.
Although there is a knowledge-
sharing culture amongst African
scholars, one may question whether
the need for transformation in South
African higher education can also be
seen within the idea of Western ex-
ceptionalism. The stunting of African
ideals and knowledge for the more
widely accepted Western ideals has
been called to the attention of South
African scholars. A move towards
changing this is said to be in process
and its actuality can be debated.
However, there remains a bias in
South African students with access to
exchange programmes of choosing a
university in the West.
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Festival aims to make the sciences fun
GRAHAMSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
At UCKAR, the perception is that
becoming an outbound exchange stu-
dent means going to study overseas.
Any search will confirm this with pro-
grams and scholarships all referring
to Europe, the USA or New Zealand.
The idea here is that studying overseas
is a golden opportunity to make more
money after graduation, to gain ex-
posure to a wide variety of cultures or
languages, and develope a chance to
be employed in that country. There is
the belief that to broaden your scope
in experience and knowledge, study-
ing outside Africa is where to do so.
This may also play a part in the
'brain drain' that continues to occur
in Africa where scholars and profes-
sionals leave their country in order
to find better opportunities. This
does hold merit as South Africas
unemployment rate is solid proof
of an unfortunate job market. The
search for a stable job and lifestyle
has been said to be a contributing
factor to choosing to study overseas.
However, the process and opportu-
nity of studying abroad is a luxury in
itself with the large financial burden
as well as the need for the support of
ones family.
Although the distinct appeal of
studying overseas can be seen, the
strength of knowledge and poten-
tial in Africa is often overlooked by
exchange programs with a focus on
elite, Western universities. With the
powerful role of universities in any
country, it is unfortunate that the
ideal international experience typi-
cally falls outside Africa.

Community engagement or
communal entitlement?
Julia Fish
He is the hero we need but not
the hero we deserve right now the
famous line from the acclaimed movie,
The Dark Knight, describes a flawed
hero swooping in to rescue a city from
itself. Though Batman wears a black
cape, he is a typical representation of
white privilege and ego. The man, Har-
vey Dent, who comes undone in his
attempts to combat evil, is a product
of our selfish natures that breaks
anything good or real in this world.
However, this is not a movie filled with
good intentions and happy endings.
Communities do not require saving
by a lone wolf with a heart of gold,
they need targeted and constructive
engagement that has sustain-
able long-term effects. in local dialect
TV
Open Positions:
OppiTV Chief Editor
OppiTV Deputy Content Editor
OppiTV Webcast Producer
OppiTV Managing Editor
OppiTV Deputy Webcast Producer
Send your C.V. and a motivational letter to
editor@oppidanpress.com
11 March 2017 The Oppidan Press 3
Opinion
UCKAR, the city of Grahamstown, of South African middle-class white comes into play. The white saviour with getting in touch with the local
and the people making up this munici- people have a collective amnesia. We narrative, like Batman, is a popular municipality about their housing
pality exist within a context. We are in claim restoration, reformation and cinematic trope portraying a white application? Is there a problem with
the Eastern Cape, one of the poorest reconciliation when it suits us but keep character saving people of colour from dumping, and instead you build walls
"
provinces in terms of service delivery our property and privilege without his- their plight, according to Wikipedia. to keep people out rather than build
and infrastructure development in the torical recognition. You didnt work for Through personal sacrifice and hard- recycling depots
country. Almost 500 000 households it nearly as hard as you think you did. ship, the white that create long-
in the province reported having run You can suffer and still not know the saviour who term employ-
out of money for food in a month to systematic destruction of your person knows best and ment? The white
Stats SA last year. The inequality in if you are white. has suffered Communities do saviour doesnt
Grahamstown rises in the East and While we refuse to acknowledge much in their ask because
glares at the affluence of Grahamstown privilege, we often refuse to listen to own past - not require saving bureaucracy is
West or White daily. I say Graham- the disenfranchised - this is when the redeems the boring and doesnt
stown White because this is all a white saviour complex approach to morality of the
by a lone wolf with make for nice short
legacy of Apartheid. Yes, the A charity and commu- poor commu- a heart of gold, newsreel videos and
word over which nity uplift- nity of colour, instant recogni-
most ment restoring them they need targeted tion. Working
to a life of ease
and happiness.
and constructive with, not for, a
community doesnt
Some singing engagement that get you a rent-a-
crowd of grateful
and tradition- has sustainable locals.
al dancing
at their
long-term effects. Working with
communities to
feet is stage necessary and
usually lasting symbiotic
displayed in absolute grati- relationships is called community
tude for their intervention. engagement. Going into communi-
Did he ask if they needed ties and ripping things up or knock-
the 10 tonnes of polyes- ing them over is a one-man crusade.
ter blankets that cost Further, what is problematic about
more than a months these kinds of interventions is when
worth of electricity those bestowed upon are not grateful
for a household of for misplaced and entitled help, they
eight living on are perceived as lazy and problematic.
one disability The most important part of listening
grant, or do to communities is not just seeing what
they actually they need, but hearing them when
need as- they tell you what they dont need.
sistance One white man cannot tell womxn
that they dont understand and are
wrong when asking to be taken into
account on problematic interventions
on their behalf.
The UCKAR community engage-
ment office is located on Prince
Alfred Street. Masifunde is located on
Bathurst Street by the Observatory
museum. These groups have been
continuously and thoughtfully engag-
ing with the Makana community for
years, making lasting partnerships
for change. Ask them what you
can do to help. Stay engaged to
criticism, your privilege, and
learn to listen to what people
are actually asking for
when they ask for help.
Put the cape away
crusader. We dont
deserve or need that
kind of hero.
ing
hir
is
4 The Oppidan Press 11 March 2017

Opinion
The Oppidan Press
Now that the year has kicked off to an exciting start, The Oppidan
Press would like to wish new and returning students the best of luck in
their studies. First term is time for new learning experiences, uncomfort-
able discussions, and mistakes. Whether it is your first time living away
from home or outside of a boarding school, the first term is bound to
present different opportunities and curious temptations.
March sees the 21st annual National Science Festival from 8 to 14
March. This years Festival, in line with UN declarations, focuses on
sustainable tourism for development and making science accessible to
all. This years theme, Tour de science, aims to incorporate these aspects
while taking visitors on a journey through science.
March also sees Human Rights Day on 21 March, commemorating the
57th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre in which 69 black South
Africans were killed by police. It is essential that we remember these
lives lost as we continue to face police brutality and tactics reminiscent
of apartheid. The Oppidan Press spoke to students and staff members
around campus to find out what Human Rights Day means to them.
For this edition, our team has worked hard to provide content that
touches on a number of interesting and uncomfortable campus - as well
as Grahamstown-centric - issues. The cover of this edition may be of
peculiar interest, particularly with its inclusion of the iconic Batman
symbol. With UCKAR students making a name for themselves on various
Grahamstown social media outlets, discussions surrounding community Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is a very controversial and highly divisive figure. Illustration:
engagement and privilege have become extremely popular. With Gra- CAMERON SEEGERS.
hamstown facing a number of socio-economic and service delivery issues,
community members who seek to fix these problems in misguided ways
are finding themselves under fire from students pushing to engage in
discussions of privilege, race, and class. Therefore, we have problematised
Post-election anxiety: Why we
this Batman persona via our cover art as well as a featured opinion piece.
Accompanying Batman, The Oppidan Press provides another interest-
ing perspective in light of recent global events - namely, the election of
should care about Trumps success
Donald Trump. Though our staff understands that the featured piece may Christopher Boertje Speech Movement of 1964 - who American citizens elected Trump,

T
anger some of our readers, we feel it is important to publish content from defended the freedom of students at perhaps in part because the so-called
a wide array of perspectives. he world watched in silence the University of California, Berkeley liberal left has long since alienated
The Grahamstown Residents Association (GRA) and Inkululeko on 9 November 2016 as to be politically active on campus. them through sheer intolerance.
are featured in this editions Community section. The GRA has found Donald J Trump won the One of the responses to censor- The Democrats were undeniably
themselves under scrutiny of late regarding one of their recent meet- United States 2016 Presidential ship on campuses has been a rise in guilty of this alienation, evident in
ings. Students are invited to their Annual General Meeting on 29 March Election, and became the President conservatism. By diminishing spaces actions such as Hillary Clintons ref-
(more details on page five). Inkululeko is a non-profit organisation based of the United States of America. that encourage open debate, society erence to the Republican voting body
at Ntsika Secondary which aims to uplift learners and aid them to fulfill Many found this outcome unbeliev- is undermining its ability to commu- as a basket of deplorables.
their potential. able: how could a misogynistic, nicate honestly. Instead, we distance In my opinion, Clinton offered
immigrant-hating, Ku Klux Klan- ourselves from one another, and iso- the U.S. public little when it came

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details endorsed, pathological liar become late people who have opinions with to her policies. She offered no real

"
the leader of a global superpower? which we disagree. In many cases, change and her only advantage was
A new culture of intolerance is if an individual were to one that she did not fashion: she was
Editor-in-Chief: Kathryn Cleary. Deputy Editor: Ashleigh Dean. Execu- spreading mention to friends or not Trump. That was not enough. As
tive Consultant: Julia Fish. Finance and Advertising Manager: Shannice across the family members that Russell Brand points out on his show
Nandhoo. Community Curator: Lebogang Khoza. News Features Editor: globe. Universi- they considered voting Trews, You cant tell people that
Holly Allison. Opinion Editor: Aviva Lerer. Arts & Entertainment Editor: ties have always for Trump, they could it will be terrible if Donald Trump
Elle Williams. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Andrea Le Goabe. En- been intellectu-
You cant tell expect an onslaught of becomes the President if the world
vironment Editor: Rochelle Duvenage. Chief Photo Editor: Joshua Stein. al spaces filled people that it insults and questions about they live in is already terrible. Noam
Assistant Chief Photo Editors: Simone Ferreira, James Fowler. Chief De- with debate, will be terrible if whether they were indeed Chomsky echoed this in an interview
signer: Ellen Heydenrych. Online Editor: Shannon Lorimer. Executive On- discourse and sexist, racist bigots. This following the election. These are
line Consultant: Leila Kidson. OppiTV Deputy Content Editor: Nokwanda discussion. Donald Trump is a dangerous assump- two examples of the many political
Dlamini. OppiFM Chief Editor: Paige Muller. OppiFM Deputy Editor: Stuart Yet, in many becomes the tion that leaves no room to analysts and writers who have ad-
Wilson. OppiFM Managing Editor: Collette Prince. OppiFM Content Edi- instances, they
tor: Lebogang Mashego. Ombudsperson: Professor Anthea Garman. have changed
president if the explore the possibility that
there could be far more
dressed the fact that Trumps victory,
much like the Brexit crisis, came
for the worse. world they live in complex and systemic rea- about because people have lost faith
Letters to the Editor: editor@oppidanpress.com Sp!ked, an is already terrible. sons behind people voting in political liberalism.
Advertising details: financeadvertisingteam@oppidanpress.com online Brit- for Trump. So instead of being angry with one
www.oppidanpress.co.za ish political Without the opportunity man, should we not rather be angry
www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress magazine, to express oneself, ideas about the society and conditions that
www.twitter.com/oppidanpress @oppidanpress stated that in a 2017 study of 115 cannot be shared, shaped or changed. allowed him to become President?
British universities, 63,5% of these We miss the chance to enlighten and Perhaps we needed this shock to
The Oppidan Press publishes letters which are bona fide expressions institutions have imposed increased educate one another because, as a make us realise the state our society
of opinion provided that they are not clearly libellous, defamatory, censorship of their students. One is generation, we are no longer inter- has reached and how we are failing
racist or sexist. We publish anonymous letters, but as an act of good inclined to balk at such a statistic, ested in nor open to perspectives one another. Instead of focusing our
faith on your part, we require your full name. We reserve the right considering the efforts of previous that differ from our own. Yet simply energy on belittling people for their
to shorten letters due to space constraints and to edit them for generations of activists who fought dismissing other peoples opinions opinions and creating divisiveness,
grammatical inaccuracies. Letters that do not make it into our print against systemic restrictions such and perpetuating divisive discourse let us recognise that we have to offer
edition will be published on our website. as censorship. One such person was is not the way to change mindsets. people an alternative to Trump -
We bag all the latest campus news and more... Mario Savio - founder of The Free After all, a majority (albeit slight) of someone worth voting for.

The Oppidan Press is hiring, and we want you!

Print Editor Assistant News Features Editor
Opinion Editor OppiTV Chief Editor
Sports and Health Editor Designers
Assistant Politics Editor Photographers
Assistant Opinion Editor Writers
Assistant Environmental Editor Sub-editors

If youre interested in joining our team, please send a CV and motivational letter to editor@oppidanpress.com
 11 March 2017 The Oppidan Press 5

Community
Get to know the Grahamstown
Our new Community section Residents Association
Contributed by the Grahamstown
Residents Association
With the start of a new year, The Oppidan Press has launched
a new Community section in our publication. Our Commu- We know that the idea of a Resi-
nity Curator, Lebogang Khoza, works to communicate with dents Association isnt cool. But to reach 2000 members by the end of
local organisations to compile a section that is not only for living in a town with poor service
the community, but by the community. We hope that by fea- delivery and high youth unemploy-
turing this new section both students and staff can work to ment isnt cool either. None of us recruiting an administrator to help
build better relationships with people outside of the Univer- can fix the national problems, but
sity space. The section will feature information about organ- we can do something where we live.
isations, upcoming community events, as well as ways to get The GRA has a committee made up
involved. If you know of a local organisation that would like of people from different backgrounds
to be featured, let us know by sending us an email at com- who are establishing projects to im-
munity@oppidanpress.com. prove Grahamstown.We work daily
with Makana Municipality, attending
meetings, improving communica-
tions and bridging divides.
It should not be a political deci-
sion whether clean water comes out
of your tap. Everyone should have
clean running water. The GRA will
work with anyone who wants to make
the town better.
Our current projects include
engaging Eastern Cape Province to
fix the roads in town, addressing
litter and illegal dumping issues,
monitoring and reporting on Council
meetings, and encouraging better
Municipal communications and
public consultation.
UCKAR students can contribute by
supporting direct work in the com-
munity such as the rubbish clean-ups,
or by encouraging others to be active
citizens. One could pick an area of
interest and attend relevant council
meetings, and write a summary of
the meeting to publish on the GRA
website in order to inform others.
Even taking an interest in the area
around you would help. The GRA
is working closely with MobiSAM
(www.mobisam.net) to improve fault
reporting and tracking so that prob-
Inkululeko is a non-profit organisation which aims to provide a platform for learners to fully realise their potential. lems get fixed more efficiently and
Picture: SOURCED. people get feedback. Please register
with MobiSAM and report things like
local government. Civic activism is
increasing and in the past 15 months
the GRA has grown from 48 mem-
bers to 915. At this rate, GRA aims
2017 (about 5% of the adult popula-
tion). We are also in the process of
us manage members. It will help us
to communicate with people who
dont have access to internet. We are
working towards being more inclu-
sive, particularly by expanding our
communication to three languages
rather than one (English). A GRA
subscription costs R10, however,
we rely on members who voluntar-
ily make monthly contributions in
order to finance things like running a
staffed office.
Even if you are a temporary
resident in Grahamstown, you are
welcome to join. Perhaps youll come
to the GRA Annual General Meeting
at City Hall at 6pm on Wednesday 29
March. Entrance is free. Doors will
open at 17:30 and local musicians will
be playing as you arrive.
The Business of the meeting will
be a brief report back on our year's
activities, finances and elections. We
then have two guest speakers: Nicci
Hayes, Principal of Nombulelo High
School and Tony Lankester, CEO of
the National Arts Festival.
On 22 March 2017 at 13:00 the
GRA will be meeting up with ap-
proximately 400 pupils at Ntsika
Secondary School to complete a mass
clean-up. Bags and gloves will be
provided. Any extra helpers would
be welcome. If cleaning up rubbish
does not appeal, perhaps you would
be interested in helping to spread
messages about disposing of rubbish
responsibly and promoting recycling.
If you want to get involved in
assisting the local community you

Inkululeko: Small NPO, big goals leaking water and sewage.

and on to graduation.
Contributed by Inkuleleko As part of the organisations strate-
Students apply their maths and
accounting to figuring out profit
What is happening with GRA is
also happening around the world,
where local people do not feel
listened to or cared for by their
can email the GRA at info@graham-
stownresidentsassociation or find
out more on Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/GrahamstownResi-
dentsAssociation/

I
nkululeko is a small nonprofit
with big goals.
The organisation, based at Nt-
sika Secondary in Extension 7, began
in 2011. It serves learners from grade
eight from five high schools in Joza.
Our goal with Inkululeko is to
provide a platform for learners to
fully realise their potential, said Ja-
son Torreano, founder and Executive
Director. We provide academic sup-
port, an after-school enrichment pro-
gramme and opportunities to build
business skills for those students who
are entrepreneurially inclined. We
also have a social enterprise unit a
small cafe that our learners are
building from the ground up along-
side a local entrepreneur.
Students come to Inkululeko after
school for two hours a day, three days
a week.
The focus is to help students
with academics in areas where they
are academically weak, said Car-
men Brandt, Inkululekos Academic
Coordinator. By providing extra
lessons, we aim to help students move
successfully through their curriculum
gic planning, Inkululeko also recently
launched a social enterprise unit
Common Ground Cafe that is run
by local entrepreneur Zukisani Lamani
with the help of the learners.
Common Ground Cafe operates
out of a repurposed storage container,
donated by Rotary Grahamstown, on
the Ntsika property.
We sell roosterkoek and Russian
sausages to students and learners at
Ntsika, said Lamani. Its nice to work
with our learners to slowly build this
business. Were hoping to also have an
internet cafe.
Common Ground Cafes humble
beginnings began a year ago with
support from the John Ben Snow
Memorial Trust in upstate New York.
Its purpose is twofold: to create a
revenue stream that makes Inku-
luleko sustainable, and to provide
an opportunity for learners with an
entrepreneurial spirit to develop busi-
ness skills that can they can leverage
long after they leave Inkululeko.
Common Ground Cafe puts the
academic curriculum into practice,
said Madoda Mkalipi, Inkululekos
Social Enterprise Coordinator.
margins on different products and
see what they learn in the classroom
translating to real world application.
The organisation is based in South
Africa with three colleagues in Gra-
hamstown year-round and has roots
in New York. It collaborates closely
with Syracuse University (SU), with
students and faculty from SU visiting
Grahamstown annually.
Inkululeko is currently looking for
reliable, consistent volunteers to help
in the classroom with tutoring and in
our social enterprise to bring it to the
next level.
Inkululeko is online at www.inku-
luleko.org and various other social
media platforms including Twitter @
inkululeko1 and on Facebook and
Instagram @Inkululeko.
If youre interested in learning more
about the organisation:
Common Ground Cafe interest:
Madoda Mkalipi, Madoda.Mkalipi@
inkululeko.org.
Classroom tutoring: Carmen Brandt,
Carmen.Brandt@inkululeko.org
General organisational queries:
Jason Torreano, Jason.Torreano@
inkululeko.org.
6 The Oppidan Press 11 March 2017
Arts & Entertainment
Body art like tattoos and piercings are a popular form of self-expression at UCKAR. Photo: JAMES FOWLER.
Tattoos, piercings, and no rebellion
Elle Williams and Andrea le Goabe
T
attoos and piercings are one
of the most common forms of
artistic self-expression. Many
students at UCKAR have partici-
pated in forms of body art by getting
tattoos and piercings that introduce
a flavour of freedom amongst the
UCKAR Community. The Oppi-
dan Press sat down with UCKAR
students to reveal their values and
perspectives on body art, focusing
on tattoos and piercings.
Pharmacy student Cla Naud
considers tattoos art, as she used to
design her own whilst sitting in art
class. Those who become tattoo artists
have a shared interest in art, and view
it as a form of artistic expression.
Journalism student Katryn Nieuwoudt
shares this idea and said, Tattoos
Bachelor of Fine Arts: The perks of creativity
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a four-year degree that moulds and hones
students' artistic skills. Photo: JAMES FOWLER.
are definitely art as most tattoo art-
ists have studied art or have an art
background. She sees having multiple
tattoos as a way of collecting moments
in the form of art. So, is your body
the canvas and the tattoos the art?
Tim Steiner, a former tattoo parlour
manager from Zurich, certainly thinks
so: he has sold his body to a German
tattoo artist and exhibits his tattoos
in galleries. He said, My back is the
canvas, I am the temporary frame.
Many get tattoos for sentimen-
tal reasons, including second-year
student Beugene Green who stated,
An image known as the tree of
life struck me as captivating, and I
thought that symbol would be my way
of representing to myself what value
I would like to follow. Third-year
student Khiara Govender, who has
a tattoo of a semi-colon symbolising
her mental health struggles, revealed,
My story goes on. I am not made up
of only anxiety attacks and depressive
thoughts. Govender believes that the
promotion of body art is important
and it does not determine a persons
capability or work ethic.
Discrimination is a word frequently
mentioned with regard to tattoos.
Nieuwoudt recollects being called,
A pretty girl making herself ugly
through tattoos. However, discrimi-
nation doesnt stop at a personal level:
it can alter career choices. Naud
expresses that she got smaller and less
visible tattoos because in Pharmacy
her dream career it wouldnt be
appropriate to have larger, visible
tattoos. However, for some, tattoos
pave the way for their career. Nieu-
woudt states that she got a tattoo on
her forearm as it would lead [her]
Andrea Le Goabe
Most individuals tend to forget that
various arts degrees are available and
important to those who have the pas-
sion for the arts. It is also important to
establish a platform for students who
may not be as gifted in other fields but
are talented in artistic spheres. UCKAR
includes a number of degrees, such
as a Bachelor of Fine Arts, whereby
students partake in learning and devel-
oping various artistic skills.
Maureen De Jager, Head of the Fine
Arts Department, unpacked the topic of
whether obtaining a Fine Arts degree is
important in todays career environment.
With a small portion of students (around
100) pursuing a BFA, De Jager com-
mented, Art is underrated, arguably. In
some sectors art is still seen as a luxury
degree and an untenable career choice.
But the value of creative problem-solving
as a critical tool shouldnt be underes-
timated. A quality art education equips
graduates with a host of skills, rendering
them well-placed to contribute to society
as lateral thinkers, as makers and doers,
to pursue [her] dreams in music or
journalism. Similar views were held
by Travis Barker, drummer of rock
band Blink-182, who was adamant
on a career in music and got exten-
sively tattood to ensure he succeeded.
Barker is famous for being outspoken
regarding his tattoos and said, I tat-
tooed my body so I couldnt fall back
on anything. I purposely did that so
I couldnt get a normal job and live a
normal life. I had to play music.
How people perceive tattoos and
what counts as extreme is an ongoing
debate. Green said, People who go
to the extent of having their whole
body and face tattooed or pierced are
likely to do so because of the pleasure
they receive from the pain of different
body art forms. Govender believes,
What one person would call extreme
is anothers person self-expression.
and as self-reflexive individuals.
The aim of the department, according
to de Jager, is to nurture creative indi-
viduals who have a nuanced apprehen-
sion of the visual world and their place in
it. Students find inspiration
for their artwork from their
A quality art education
equips graduates with a
host of skills, rendering them
well-placed to contribute to
society as lateral thinkers, as
makers and doers, and as
self-reflexive individuals
-Maureen De Jager
own realities and experiences and are
able to move further into the psycho-
social and political worlds. Students are
able to explore various mediums that
range from oil paint, acrylic paint, ink,
charcoal, and pencils. These can be com-
bined to develop, create and enhance
Body art doesnt only refer to tat-
toos, but also piercings. Toni Ngugi,
a third-year student, got his septum
pierced because he thought it would
enhance his reputation. Ngugi said,
I would go as far as to get stretched
earlobes because I would likely just
want to. Green stated, I got a pierc-
ing because I wanted to feel the pain
of getting a piercing. It was not as bad
as getting a tattoo.
Now more than ever, body art
is transforming into more creative
ways for people to portray their
self-expression that is personalised
and loved by themselves. Body art
is seeping into our everyday culture,
despite discrimination held by others.
Nieuwoudt believes, Tattoos and
piercings should be looked at as the
same as makeup and fashion, as they
are a way to accessorise your body.
their art work.
Aadila Chand, a BFA student at
UCKAR, gave some insight into why ob-
taining this degree is important. Chand
said she didnt initially do a BFA and
changed her degree. Chand said I've
always been creative and enjoyed creat-
ing things. I have friends who are older
than me and were studying art, and their
feedback also influenced my decision.
Chand comments on students who are
interested in pursuing a degree in Fine
Arts: Allow the process to progress.
Don't stay fixed on an idea. Let your
work flow into new concepts. Have fun
and try new things because you never
know how they could turn out, or how
much you could enjoy doing it.
One should not only look at how the
mind works, but how creative the mind
can be and allow themselves to accept
that there is more to life than maths
and science. Obtaining a Bachelor of
Fine Arts is the beginning to altering
the worlds ideas of art degrees and the
chance for creative and artistic students
to broaden and brighten their future to
make it promising.
 11 March 2017 The Oppidan Press 7

Environment
UCKAR: paying you to pay back the environment

"
low-income households. Dr Thond-
Rochelle Duvenage hlana explained that the rationale

F
We need or the green-thumbed
individuals of UCKAR and
someone to anyone passionate about
environmental conservation and
help us make community engagement, a thrilling
prospect may await. One Masters
conclusions student will be able to pursue
sustainability and environmental
that will be conservation with the department.
The Department of Environmen-
trusted by tal Science at UCKAR is offering
a bursary to a full-time Masters
policy makers student to head an exciting initiative
focused on fostering energy saving
- Dr. Thondhlana in South Africa. Dr. Thondhlana, a
lecturer in the department, told The
Oppidan Press that the ideal candi-
date would be someone passionate
about environmental issues who is
willing to take the reins and head
the project. He described the ideal
candidate as [a] bright, young mind
who would like to explore things.
The project focuses on creat-
ing awareness about energy-saving
Dr. Thondhlana is heading up an idea to give a Masters student an opportunity to lead an energy-saving initiative. practices and energy conservation
Photo: MOKGATLE THULARE. issues, especially in the context of
behind focusing on low-income
households stems from the realisa-
tion that South Africa faces a great
challenge in attempting to dimin-
ish our dependence on fossil fuels
whilst providing affordable and
efficient electricity use.
The recipient of this inspiring
and important responsibility will
need to strategise ways of promoting
energy saving amongst households,
whilst engaging with the needs and
limitations faced by low-income
households. We need someone to
help us make conclusions that will
be trusted by policy makers, Dr.
Thondhlana emphasised.
Dr. Thondhlana has personally
witnessed the positive outcomes
yielded by similar studies con-
ducted in other parts of the world.
He firmly believes that the most
basic forms of awareness such as
handing out flyers can have a great
impact upon the applicants, subjects
and of course, the environment.
Perhaps this is your time to step up
and accept the challenge.

Transforming students into leaders for a sustainable South Africa

Rochelle Duvenage
Finding a job after ones studies
can be difficult. Choosing between
a chance to make a difference and
a stable financial future can be
even more challenging. As centres
of change and transformation,
universities could be the perfect
place to create a generation of
educated and environmentally-
conscious people.
All over the world, topics
like 'green jobs' and a 'green
economy' are becoming
increasingly important. Ac-
cording to the U.S. Bureau of
Labour Statistics, businesses
across the globe are introduc-
ing sustainability practices.
This positively affects local
communities and improves
their reputations and even
their profits. In light of this, it
has become prudent for stu-
dents to work toward degrees
in fields relating to environ-
mental sustainability. Some
of these include renewable
energy, waste reduction, and
green agriculture.
The Green Economy Post
describes the massive upsurge
in voluntary campus sustain-
ability programs in the U.S.
in recent years. The article
highlights how these pro-
grams [help] to institution-
alise sustainability principles
in everyday processes and
actions enabling these
institutions to build strong
sustainable communities.
According to UNESCO, during
the last decade many African coun-
tries [have] identified sustainable
development as being a pillar of
their national development strategy.
In 2008, Rwanda became one of the
first countries in the world to ban
plastic bags.
Dr. Marire, a lecturer in the De-
partment of Economics, expressed
that Greening the curriculum in
economics is an important trans-
formational issue. We change the
mindsets of future policymak-
ers the current crop of
students by mainstream-
ing these things into our
Greening the cur-
riculum in economics
is an important trans-
formational issue.
We change the mind-
sets of future poli-
cymakers the cur-
rent crop of students
by mainstreaming
these things into our
course content.
-Dr. Marire
course content. He explained that
even at first-year level, the econom-
ics curriculum covers environmental
issues. However, with regard to
greening courses in a systematic
fashion, Dr. Marire said, It is a mat-
ter of determined efforts to green
the curriculum and not simply stick
with tradition.
Prof. Dan Wylie in the English
Literature Department had an
inspired take on the issue: My view
is that the environmental situation
will dominate all other issues. It is
already affecting day-to-day
life such as food supplies,
water availability, pollina-
tion of vital plants, oxygen-
producing forests, pollution,
cancers, gender dynamics,
and local-level politics. Ide-
ally, I think syllabi should
integrate ecological issues
into courses rather than free-
standing courses, since this
keeps us in the mindset that
the 'environment' is some-
how outside of and separable
from us, he explained.
James Elder, director of the
Campaign for Environmen-
tal Literacy in Washington
stated in an article in 2009,
Universities can and must
help students understand
the complex connections and
interdependencies between
the environment, energy
sources, and the economy
connections that underpin
the concept of a clean, green
economy. Only then will a
broad segment of the popula-
tion begin to pull in the same
direction as those who are
leading this transition.
Now is the time to address
this global crisis at an educa-
tional level and find ways of turning
the environmental challenges we
face as a society into opportunities Green initiatives in business are quickly becoming a standard all over the
rather than issues. world. Photos: LILITA GCWABE.
 Have your say
with the GRA
Sports & Health
The inaccessibility of sanitary products in South Africa
Pads are widely available, but their sometimes prohibitive cost means they
arent an option for many people. Illustration: ELLEN HEYDENRYCH.
Unsolved problem of Makana sewage leaks
Holly Allison
Sewage breaks and spillages have
been a continuous problem in both
Grahamstown and UCKAR.
On campus alone, there are multi-
ple sewage leaks often left unattended
including those in front of Cory
House and Courtenay Latimer Hall
where there are constant breakages.
Besides UCKARs campus, these leaks
occur all over Makana Municipality,
especially in the streets below 11th
Avenue and in Lavender Valley. There
have been some attempts to rectify
these problems, but Grahamstown
East is even less acknowledged with
significant sewage spills going unre-
sponded to for long periods of time.
The main issue at play is the ex-
tensive sewage blockages and breaks.
There is also the old and rusted piping
5 Body art at
system in Grahamstown, which leads
to brown, corrosive tap water. These
problems have been brought to the
attention of Makana Municipality
officials numerous times, with only
vague replies of it being handled
and the responsibility constantly be-
ing passed around. In 2014, the Kowie
Catchment Campaign (KCC), Water
for Dignity and other water safety
groups met with the local munici-
pality regarding the Adopt-A-River
venture, an initiative of the Depart-
ment of Water Affairs which aims to
improve the state of various rivers
which have been adopted by munici-
pality members.
The KCC visited the proposed site,
Lavender Valley. On the basis of the
unacceptable water purity, it was clear
that a budget should be allocated to
upgrades and consistent maintenance
UCKAR 6 Bursary offer for a
Shannon Lorimer
G
ender equality in South
Africa is far from the top of
our gender equality goals. It
is often further behind at universi-
ties where it is assumed that womxn
attending are among the select
few who are equal to men in these
spaces by getting in. This is false.
For many students, imagining
a situation where their lives are
restricted because they cannot access
sanitary products presents a chal-
lenge, but not being able to afford
pads is a reality for many at UCKAR.
For the people that it affects, the
consequences can be detrimental to
their university careers. Being too
poor to afford the necessary materials
for dealing with menstruation should
not have the power to interfere with
academics and daily life. Accord-
ing to Celeste Mergens, founder and
executive director of Days for Girls,
The lack of access [people] have to
hygiene products is one of the keys to
of the areas sewage infrastructure.
There has been limited feedback on
this issue in the time since. Reasons
for this may include mismanagement
through improper release of pro-
cessed sewage, lack of maintenance, dysfunctional, with equipment often
and a lack of care within the commu-
nity such as flushing improper items
down the toilet.
These are major contributors
in the Makana piping problem as
approximately 30% of Grahams-
towns sewage goes untreated into
the Kowie River, while sewage spills
are often left for weeks at a time.
Research by Botany students late
in 2016 showed that the Bloukrans
River is also in a hazardous state,
which We would shudder to drink.
Such pollution undermines the
ecosystems ability to recover and the
catchments sanitation will decline
UCKAR green warrior
why people end up in roles with less
leadership options, how we end up
having less opportunity around the
globe, and how violence is perpetrat-
ed against people.
In South Africa alone, 8 000 000
people are without consistent access
to pads. People are forced to resort to
alternatives such as rags, toilet paper,
newspaper, or used tampons and
pads. Because these are not necessar-
ily reliable options, many people will
opt to remain out of the public eye
for the duration of their period.
This means that, for up to seven
days a month, they are still expected
to attend tutorials and tests, yet even
eating dinner in the dining hall puts
them in an uncomfortable posi-
tion. Having a period is not a luxury
and ones access to the necessary
products should not be dependent on
ones financial situation.
While schools in KwaZulu-Natal
have recently seen the launch of a
governmental programme that pro-
vides pads to girls in disadvantaged
a worrying thought, considering
we live in the catchment. According
to Nikki Kohly, the Safety, Health
and Environmental Officer at
UCKAR, the Makana Municipality is
broken, resulting in few proactive
fixes. The infrastructure is aging and
The reality on the ground will only
get worse, stated a Makana council-
lor. Although there are numerous
problems, the KCC is committed to
holding the municipality accountable
through co-operative action to im-
prove the infrastructure and the state
of Makanas river catchments.
The disregard for the safe practices
of sewage removal is frightening, as
its effects pose a threat to people,
livestock, and the environment.
However, this remains one example
in a country-wide problem.
7
schools, the same cannot be said for
the Eastern Cape. However, there are
some student-run initiatives around
campus that are helping to make
difference. At UCKAR, there is cur-
rently #PledgeAPadThursday, which
works to collect pads and donate
them to those in need. Within almost
all the female residences and some
of the male residences, there are
drives in place that encourage people
to donate either money or hygiene
products not limited to pads.
One of the major barriers to
the success of the project is the
lack of awareness. In most female
residences, almost all students who
can afford to do so are becoming
involved in the campaign. The same
cannot be said for male residences,
as many students remain unaware
that these drives exist. But donating
just one pack of pads or tampons
can go a long way in dismantling
this humiliating barrier against the
advancement of womxn in the aca-
demic sphere.
The pipes and drains of Grahams-
town have seen better days and spills
and leaks are an ongoing problem.
Photo: VICTORIA BRIGGS.