Sexual assaults in South African universities

By Alfred Makhubela, Ntsako Mashaba and Ernest Mabasa

Several sexual assaults have been reported in various universities in South Africa. The main perpetrators are lecturers who take advantage of vulnerable underperforming students in search for marks to boost their academic records.

Reverend Ramokgadi of Tshwane University of Technology student Support and Development said female are not the only victims. He said that in most cases the weak are overpowered by the powerful of any gender. “Sexual assaults are mostly done by those who are powerful, either in positions or physic and doing it to the vulnerable it can be either male or female”, he said.

Ramokgadi emphasised that strong messages should be distributed for society and perpetrators to know that what they are doing is bad and eventually might stop abusing. He advices students to report sexual abuse to the relevant people.

Bandile Ngobese , a 3^rd year Education studentsaid that to  avoid sexual abuse people should start by respecting themselves. “It all starts with respect, we should respect our selves. We should respect our bodies by dressing appropriately”.

A month ago, secretes  about alleged sexual predation at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg were exposed. After a series of leaks, a Sunday newspaper, Sunday Times that would see the mass spilling of a public shame. The academic institution celebrated for its research ability and for producing four Nobel Prize Laureates stood accused of a sexual scandals.

Audiohttp://soundcloud.com/sounds-of-alfy/students-views-on-sexual

Related stories linkshttp://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2013/04/22/wits-sends-second-sex-pest-packing
http://www.wits.ac.za/prospective/studervices/ccdu/11490/sexual_harassment.html

COCA COLA POP STAR GOES SOLO

Alfred Makhubela

Sometimes in life you have to do something that will represent you as an individual that’s according to former Coca-cola pop star contender Letang Tlome.

Letang Tlome was part of the pop group Adillah which consisted of members such as Karabo Motlhabi, Thembisile Ntaka, Itumeleng Kgosana and Refiloe Motha. The group lasted until 2008 and reached the top five in the 2003’s edition of Coca-cola pop stars which aired on SABC 1.

Tlome said that Adillah as a group did not give her the platform to do the kind of music she always wanted. “Adillah was a pop group and we had to do songs and subjects which were chosen for us” she said.

The 32 year old studied music and drama at the National School of the Arts. Her genre is Afro-Soul she focuses on subject matters such love and life experiences because she feels they relate with her.

Born in Soshanguve Letang is adamant that going solo will be a journey to higher places. “My dream has always been a super star like my favourite artists, the likes of Swazi Dlamini and Judith Sephuma”, she exclaimed.

She is currently working on her debut album titled Journey of my soul which is scheduled to be released this winter. The album is produced by Zakhele Mabena. “Fans can expect fun and love of any kind on my upcoming album”, she added.

Letang Tlome is a SAMA award winner with her group Adillah in 2004 for Best Newcomer with their debut album Ses’fikile which sold 40 000 copies.

Enough is enough: Methodist Church Marches against rape.

Members of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Soshanguve circuit march to Soshanguve police station against rape.

 

 

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa Soshanguve circuit took their Sunday service to the streets as they marched against rape on 17 March Sunday morning.

Hundreds of church members known for their community awareness marched with placards and banners displaying strong messages such as“Enough is enough”, “Rape Destroys” and “Say No to Abuse”. They chanted spiritual hymns and “Senzeni na” struggle song.

The march was dubbed a ‘spiritual march against rape’ and the church described rape assaults as satanic.

Earlier this month Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshega announced details of a major initiative to raise rape awareness and educate the 10,2 million learners in South African schools.

The Methodist church adopted the pledge which was circulated by the Department of Basic Education based on the Bill of Responsibilities that includes a statement on violence and rape. The pledge was given to members of the church before the march commenced.

Church members marched from Block K were the church is located to Soshanguve police station in Block H. Other community members also joined.

Motorists were patient despite being delayed as the fed-up devotees hit the Mabopane highway headed for the police station.

The church led by Reverend Norman Raphahlele and Reverend Refilwe Tawana submitted a memorandum to Soshanguve police station commander, Sello Molokwane, who accepted the memorandum on behalf of Provincial Commissioner in the presence of other police officials.

The memorandum was read aloud to everyone by Reverend Tawana.

The main theme of the memorandum was that the community is fed-up about escalating rape rates in the community and is a violation of human rights.

The memorandum requested the turnaround time to be improved, victims to be informed about the progress, protection of evidence, and the SAPS to educate the church regarding the preservation of evidence.

This campaign was initiated by the church following various rape incidents that stunned the Soshanguve community earlier this year.

Two minors from Soshanguve Block AA and Block XX were raped. The incidents took place on 26 January and 17 February respectively.

The suspects were also minors who were later released into the custody of their parents.

According to Reverend Tawana the matter was still under investigation.

The victims were members of the Methodist Church and the church was determined to support them.

“The victims would ask what the church would do about these growing immoral acts. As a church we were calling for an end to rape. We say enough is enough,” said Rev Tawana.

Commander Molokwane showed his gratitude to the church for halting their usual Sunday service to march against one of the escalating crimes in South Africa.

“I thank the church for standing against such offences and disrupting their schedules to fight crime in our communities. Thanks for notifying the police about such challenges,” he said.

Immediately after signing the memorandum together with Tawana Molokwane promised to take the church’s plea to the highest authority of the SAPS and promised to start fighting rape in Soshanguve.

Reverend Tawana told Rekord that they were enthusiastic to do such campaigns and joining hands with the SAPS would eradicate crime in the community.

“We are still going to engage the police to educate us. We are going to do another march in June or July which we hope other churches will join,” said Rev Tawana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High School Days with Sarin Drew

By Alfy Makhubela

Most of South Africans love to reflect back to their high school days. Taking a trip down memory lane is journey full of tears, drama and excitement.

Sarin Drew matriculated at Maris Stella High School in  2011 . Her high school days are full of achievements and challenges which she managed to overcome. She said that the most interesting things she did was engaging in extracurricular activities.

“Those days were interesting, I was engaged in debates and public speaking competitions which have helped in sharpening my writing and speaking skills,” said Drew.

Sarin Drew believes her passion lies in journalisms. She enjoys engaging in political and social issues. She decided to study journalism during her final year in matric. Drew, young woman from Durban but studying in the University of Cape Town said that her best moments are what she will never forget. She shared moments such as participating in world championship for speaking and debating which she managed to reach the world’s top 20.

Her matric year was the peak of her academic experiences. Among her high school achievements in 2011 she included getting 5 distinctions.  “2011 was the height of my high school experience,” added Drew.

Despite being part of the science stream in high school she didn’t allow it to halt her from following her passion for journalism since she believe she was born with it.

 “My inspiration to do journalism came natural; I was doing it in high school. I enjoyed analysis of media. I am passionate about it.”

Her best teacher in high school is Mrs Bolton; an English teacher helped Drew to improve her English writing and talking skills.

Sarin Drew has won numerous awards including top history mark, honoured in public speaking and debate.

 

 

 

 

 

New school shoes for needy primary school learners

Alfred Makhubela

Women of Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Soshanguve circuit donating school shoes for Meetseng Primary School learners

Impoverished learners from Meetseng Primary School in Soshanguve Block L were spoiled with early Easter gifts by The Methodist Church of Southern Africa Soshanguve Circuit 1131 on Thursday

The Meetseng learners were  each given  new pair of Toughees school shoes and a grey pair of socks by the Methodist Church women also known as Women’s Manyano.

The donation event was not only about giving shoes but the church also emphasised that parents and children should have better bonds.

The facilitator of the event Maiphephi Sesoko who’s also a Life Skills teacher at the school highlighted issues which South African children faced on a daily basis. For example children quitting school and leaving their homes to live under bridges as street children and children who became victims of drug abuse. She urged the church to pray for these serious issues that destroyed children’s futures.

The aim of the donation was to transform the lives of poverty-stricken learners who sometimes felt like outsiders when they were not able to wear a full uniform including school shoes.

 “Our purpose is to change the learners' lives. They must not feel lost at their own school. We hope this will encourage them to come to school,” said Nomsa Mathe, vice president of the Methodist Church’s Soshanguve circuit.

The church also emphasised the value of education in the community. Nomsa Mathe encouraged learners to make education a priority because of the high qualification demands of universities and other tertiary.

“Children in our communities should value education for it is important in today’s life which requires one to have a qualification to survive. Educated children bring hope to their parents” added Mathe.

The 34 needy learners welcomed the gifts with joy and saw this event as life changing.

12 year old Medupi Morudi said: “I feel happy because I have new school shoes and new socks. My school life will change. Now I will not worry much about what to wear. I am excited”.

Some of the learners had to attend school wearing sneakers and other casual shoes breaking the school’s full uniform policy.

aAccording to the school’s Inter phase and Senior phase head of department Maggie Molatudia a third of the learners at Meetseng were from poor backgrounds with unemployed parents and other learners were orphans.

She said that the learners’ social problems had resulted in poor academic performance and the situation had made them to be reluctant to attend classes.

“Three out of four of learners are from impoverished backgrounds. This affected their performance and attendance” said Molatudi. Meetseng Primary School urged parents and community leaders o help the needy by donating food and clothes to the school.

The school also pledged to do regular home visits to see how learners live in their respective homes.

 

 TUT Pretoria FC Lebohang Radebe takes a shot during a Castle league encounter on Sunday. Photo by David Tlhoaele

Invaders held to a draw

Alfred Makhubela

TUT Ptretoria FC fought back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw against FC Invaders during a Castle League match at Giant stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The match started as intense as expected with hard tackles and fast pace being maintained by both teams. Invaders attacked but captain Tshepo Boshomane’s 10^th  minute’s attempt at goal did not trouble TUT goalkeeper Solly Matlou.

TUT seemed to underestimate Invaders who lie 14^th  on the log as they allowed them to trouble their back four with numerous shots fired at the goalkeeper.

In the 30^th  minute Invaders’ midfielder Kamogelo Tladi’s goal was ruled offside by the referee.

The first half saw Invaders dominating the midfield and amusing the crowd with skills and brilliant touches.

Neither of the teams managed to break the deadlock during the first half. They went to the break on a stalemate.

Shortly into the second half Invaders’ striker, Koketso Phashane gave the crowd in attendance something to cheer about as he opened the scoring with a good finish which left TUT goalkeeper,  Matlou flat footed.

Invaders’ morale was high after they scored the opener. Invaders nearly made it 2-0 but Matlou denied them a second goal.

TUT FC found their momentum 65 minutes into the game. They searched for an equaliser but Invaders’ goalkeeper Tshekane Hlongwane was on top of his game.

13 minutes before full time TUT equalised. Sidney Seromo thundered a powerful long range shot, beating Hlongwane in the top right corner.

The crowd roared with applause for a goal that might stand a chance to be considered for goal of the season.

TUT were back in the game as they started attacking from all sides.

A powerful header by TUT’s defender, Mokoena Enos, failed to put his team in the lead. Both teams created chances as play flowed from one end of the pitch to the other but they could not convert as the encounter ended as a 1-all draw, both teams sharing the spoils

Pretoria Cricket Club hopes to retain title

Pretoria’s Martin Swart blasts the ball during a President League encounter at the Soshanguve Cricket Oval on Saturday. Photo by David Tlhoaele

Alfred Makhubela

Thunderstorms denied Pretoria Cricket Club’s second team an opportunity to go to the top of the log during the President League encounter against Soshanguve Cricket Club second team at the Cricket Oval in Soshanguve Block DD on Saturday.

Soshanguve won the toss and elected to bowl. Pretoria had a partnership of their star batsmen Reghardt Bezildenhomut and Jaque Swart, but their threatening partnership was easily dealt with by Isaac Sebola. The first victim for Pretoria was Bezuldenhomut who was dismissed for a duck from seven balls and Swart was dismissed for nine runs during the third over. Soshanuguve seemed to be controlling the game with their fast pace bowlers getting 4 wickets in 16 overs.

Pretoria’s batsmen gained momentum and their captain, Martin Stols scored 42 runs, one six and two fours. He was the highest scorer of the innings until he was dismissed by Percy Moloto.

Pretoria finished the first innings with 201 all out.

Half way into the second innings, Soshanguve was 97/5 during the 24^th over when thunderstorms forced the umpire to stop the match as the pitch was no longer conducive for play. “It was disappointing that the game ended this way. We could have won it because we registered a good score during our innings and I doubt if they were going to reach it,” said Martin Stols, captain of Pretoria.

Pretoria Cricket Club headed to this game trailing log leaders AC.O Boys Cricket Club by a point. The defending champions were adamant that they would overtake their counterparts during their next crucial encounter against AC.O Boys with four games remaining before the 2012/13 season will come to an end.

“Our next encounter against the log leaders is vital. We have to win if we want to see the title remaining in Pretoria. We are certain that we will win our next game”, added Stols.