DANIELLE PETTERSON
Rhodes
Rhodes University will soon be holding its sixth annual silent protest to highlight sexual violence in South Africa, according to their website. The protest, organised by the Dean of Students Office, will be held all day on 23 March. The protest has five different kinds of participation: silent women will be gagged all day with no food or water wearing t-shirts saying “sexual violence causes silence” in English or Xhosa. Rape victims will reportedly also take part, and will be wearing t-shirts branded with the words “rape survivor”. Those who cannot be gagged, such as staff, will wear t-shirts that read “Solidarity with women who speak out.”
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University’s drama department will also be taking on feminist issues with its first production for the year this month, reports their website. The production, a cabaret entitled Vagina Dentata – A Cabaret carries an age restriction of 18 and is not suitable for sensitive viewers. The website describes it as “a daring and provocative musical satire” that deals with the unique stories of South African women. “It’s feministic, sexy and does not beat about the bush,” the website states.
Tshwane University of Technology
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Pretoria Campus was recently robbed of R900 000 by what appeared to be Coin security guards, according to the TUT website. The robbery, which took place on 24 January, was carried out by robbers dressed like Coin security guards driving a vehicle which resembled those driven by Coin employees. “They passed about seven security points at which they were identified visibly and by means of personal as well as company identity cards before they could enter the collection room. They were well aware of all the protocols to be followed during money collection,” said Dr Doeke Tromp, Chief Financial Officer. TUT security guards suspected nothing until the actual coin vehicle arrived an hour later. According to the website the case is currently being investigated by SAPS.
University of Cape Town
Students of the University of Cape Town (UCT) took to the streets on 9 February in the annual “Sax Appeal” drive, reports their website. Sax Appeal, a UCT Rag initiative, is a satirical magazine written by UCT students. Students dressed up in creative outfits in their attempts to sell the magazine to motorists for R20. Students aimed to raise R1 million through the sale of 40 000 magazines. All proceeds go to SHAWCO (Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation).
University of the Free State
A student at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently made it into the Guinness Book of Records. Wheelchair-bound Herman van Heerden did so by holding a stationary wheelie in his wheelchair for 10 hours and 1 second. He achieved his record attempt on 11 October last year but had to wait three months for his attempt to be verified and become official. Herman was born with spina bifida, a congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube, which leaves some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord which does not fully form, so it remains unfused and open. Herman, who only had to hold the wheelie for four hours to achieve a Guinness World Record, did not have any food or water during the attempt, nor was he allowed a bathroom break.
