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CARLI BOTHA Voting for the 2021 Student Representative Council (SRC) starts on 26 October 2020, and as with many other key events, it has moved online due to COVID-19. PDBY asked students whether they will be voting in the SRC election this year, whether they think it is important to vote, and why. Damien Govender, third year BCom Accounting Sciences I am not voting in the SRC elections. I have never voted since I’ve started my first year at UP in 2018. I think it’s important to vote for any form of an election that affects your personal capacity. Whether to vote for a politicalRead More →

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The University of Pretoria’s campuses are loved by students for many different reasons. As a result of the lockdown, students could no longer enjoy everything the campuses have to offer. PDBY asked students what they miss most about campus during lockdown, how they are recreating their favorite campus activities at home, and what they will do once they get back to campus. Sean Rice 4th year BEng Industrial Engineering “What I miss most about campus is being able to get out and being able to be around […] my friends. Since we have to work strictly from home now, I have invested in upgrading myRead More →

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MARYKE STEYNVAART The ‘cigarette’ is one of the most contested inventions of human history and is often at the centre of conflict surrounding money, health, human rights, and addiction. Today, most people acknowledge the harmful potential and danger of cigarettes. Several national governments have channelled significant state resources into regulating the tobacco industry, and persuading citizens to abstain from smoking. These incentives and changes have a direct impact on smoking policies. UP can be seen as a ‘microcosm’ of South African society, as the institution often reflects wider national and social changes, ideologies, values, and culture. During the early 1900s, cigarettes started gaining popularity asRead More →

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BIANKE NEETHLING The university recently announced that the decision has been made to continue and complete the first semester online, rather than resuming contact lectures. PDBY spoke to some students to hear their opinions on whether or not they believe, given this new form of online learning, the university should partially refund tuition. I do believe that students deserve some financial relief from their tuition fees as [it] can be a burden for some students. A refund could be better as none of us knew how long the current situation was going to take and could provide financial assistance to the students and parents/ guardiansRead More →

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ASANDA MADE Experience often plays a significant role in bringing to light the things people like and dislike. Figuring out what one likes and dislikes in terms of dating can be a similar process.Sometimes the basis of what people like, is not always experience or preference but a preconceived idea. PDBY asked students about their dating preferences and what the basis of those preferences are. Additionally, they were asked whether they thought their preferences could be considered prejudice in some way.   Lonwabo Njenga 3rd year Bcom Marketing Management “I do have a dating preference. Based on weight, height, age and race. When it comesRead More →

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TIFFANY SMITH  South Africa is frequently seen as a mix of diversity, culture and controversy. The news is often a negative reminder of high crime rates, the struggling economy and pervasive corruption. Some people find it increasingly challenging to be optimistic about the future of our country, yet there are still many who remain hopeful that South Africa will flourish and overcome its battles in time. PDBY asked students what it means to be a South African within today’s climate of infamous load shedding, State of the Nation Address (SONA) and with regard to the #ImStaying phenomenon. Melissa Agrela, BAPsychology:  I will not be staying in South Africa forever.However, it is certainly a place like no other. You have to take the bad with the good. ForRead More →

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MAHMOODA MILANZIE The shift from high school to university and from home living to independent living can be a difficult time for first year students. They may battle to cope with the new expectations placed on them to be self sufficient, to manage their own time and money and to balance their social lives with their academic lives. Balancing academics and enjoying student life will be different for each student, as every senior has experienced. PDBY asked senior students what advice they would offer first years to cope with the changes ahead of them this year:    Floyd Landile Mndebele: BSc Physics My first-year experienceRead More →

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MAHMOODA MILANZIE Gender-based violence (GBV) is currently one of the most serious and notorious crimes in South Africa. Awareness about this systemic problem continues to grow as more women come forward to share their stories. According to News24, the rate of femicide in South Africa is reported to be exceedingly high, with levels reaching five times higher than the global average. In light of the recent uproar and vigils held around campus over the issues of gender based-violence, PDBY asked students on Hatfield campus how they feel about GBV issues and whether they think UP should do better in addressing these issues:   Thato Boloka  Read More →