RAG editionVolume 71 | Issue 2

IRAWA, The Offi-cial Student News-paper of the UFS

@IRAWAPost

INSIDE

Back your boytjies

pg.8

All things RAG pg. 3

Steep textbook pricespg. 2

108 YEARS COME TO AN END

Huis Abraham Fischer, Vishuis, will no longer be privately owned by Huis Abraham Fischer compa-ny (HAF) but by the uni-versity itself. The change in status of the residence transpired after the university’s law-yers sent a letter to the 108-year-old campus residence’s management in October of last year. The university urged the company to pay off its overdue rent within one week or new management would take over. According to Chris Hoff-man, the Primarius of Vishuis, the residence

owed a surmountableR434 000. A recent state-ment released on the UFS web page by the Director of Communications and Brand Management La-

cea Loader states, “The decision to terminate the lease contract was taken because the company was unable to meet its finan-cial obligations of more than R700 000 in overdue rent to the university for quite some time.” Hoff-man said the company paid an amount of R140

000 immediately after a letter was received. An application to extend the period of time in which the money could be paid was ignored.

According to Hoffman, another letter and email sent by the university’s lawyers on 9 December 2014 never reached them, in which the content stated that the university will be taking ownership of the residence as of 1 January 2015. “It’s funny that the stu-

Claude van der Berg and Zanri Kotzé@IRAWAPost

dents were only informed on the 23rd of January that the residence has been under new management since the 1st of January.” He also adds that he does not understand why they did not come to Vishuis’ office when it opened at the start of the year. “Now that the residence is full of students the lawyers are in a rush for new manage-ment [sic]”. According to Vishuis residents the future looks pear-shaped. The resi-dence may no longer be in charge of the selection process, in which they are able to choose their new tenants criteria such as ex-cellence in sports and aca-demics. continues to page 2

The UFS ends their lease contract with Vishuis

‘Now that the residence is full of students the lawyers are in a rush for new management’

Huis Abraham Fischer’ Tiekie. Photo: Claude van der Berg

Free | Gratis | Mahalairawaufs@gmail.com

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204 February 2015News

Arts and Culture, Student Representative Council Stefan Van der Westhuizen, has revamped the tradition-al stagedoor.Van der Westhuizen delib-erated with current Resi-dence Committee (RC) cultures of all residences, previous RC cultures and coaches for a new artistic vision to the current stage-door, which resulted in a pairing system.

“They were blindly paired,” stated Tonderai Chiyindiko, Senior Officer: Arts and Culture. All RC Cultures of the different residences were represent-ed in one meeting. Names of all the residences were placed in a hat, and RC’s of the different residences drew out a residence that they would be paired with for the new stagedoor. Kaylee Nancarrow RC Culture from Huis Kestell said, “We are paring up with Akasia, I am so excited to

do this, I think it’s such a great initiative because it’s going to be forming a bond between residences that don’t normally form bonds.”Chiyindiko added, “With changes they are chal-lenges.” Even though they might experience challeng-es with the new stagedoor, Chiyindiko believes they’ll still have more positives aspects than negative. The energy of the residenc-es and the outcome of the unknown in terms of the

production excites him.Stagedoor formalities have slightly changed. It will now take place on 28 Feb-ruary due to discussions of its interruption with the academic curriculum. It will also have three outside venues, where it will infor-mally allow people to stop, stand and enjoy the produc-tions. Stagedoor will also have one venue for the fi-nals.“We hope the university community will come out in their numbers,” stated the Arts and Culture Office.

Nothando Hlophe@IRAWAPost

The new stagedoor

Kovsie students spend thousands of rands each semester for new textbook editions.IRAWA Post compared prices with different text-book suppliers, indicating Van Schaik to be the most expensive.

Communication Theory textbook on Kalahari.com is quoted at R393.00 com-pared to R633.85 at Van Schaik.

A single occupational therapy book costs more than R1200 at Van Schaik, while some psychol-ogy books range close to R2000. The most ex-pensive book titled Con-tact Lenses costs just under R4000. Is it neces-sary that new editions of books are printed and sold ‘hand-over-fist’ for steep prices?

J.J. Gordon, manager at Van Schaik at the Uni-versity of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus said, “I don’t think it is necessary, but if we place

the order to our suppli-ers for the new books available, they just send you the new edition” He said, lecturers may de-cide to use old editions again. Gordon says, “If a lecturer tells us there are about a thousand students and it’s a new book then usually we would order about 75% from the 1000 students.” Gordon also says Van Schaik cannot always purchase the old editions again, because the sup-pliers would print the new editions, if there are any, and make only those books available for sale. Students who were asked expressed dissatisfaction to the absurd amounts of money they need to spend on books.

BCom. Accounting (Hons) student Sphokazi Mpunzi, was busy print-ing books during the in-terview. “It’s R7000 for all my text books in to-tal,” she said. Sphokazi started print-ing books since last year, because “it was just too much money,” she said.

Claude van der Berg@IRAWAPost

New editions dig deep

‘Stagedoor formalities have slightly changed.’

News around the world

French satirical newspa-per, Charlie Hebdo jour-nalist were gundown by al-Queda militans.

- The Gaurdian

Eugene de Kock to be freed on parole after spending 20 years in prision. He is known as ‘prime -evil.’

- eyewitness news

Serena Williams wins the Australian Open wom-en’s title, 19th Grand Slam

-yahoo sport

Three members of the Breda family were axed to death in Stellenbosch. No arrests have been made.

- eyewitness news

Bafana crash out of AF-CON 2015 after losing to Ghana 2 -1 in Mongomo, beingthe bottom of Group C.

-iol sport

8 people hospitalised in the Eastern Cape from drinking sour milk.

-news24

Top Billing presenter Simba Mhere dies at the age of 26 in a car accident.

-Channel 24

continued from page 1

Loader said, “The termi-nation of the lease contract means that the Department of Housing and Residence Affairs at the UFS will be taking over the manage-ment and finances of the residence, and will also be handling the placement of students in the residence from now on. The takeover is effective as from 1 Janu-ary 2015.” Bennie Prinsloo, a second-year resident said, “The university is going to take away most of the traditions unique to us.” He then said, it will also directly influ-

ence their sport and aca-demic achievements since discipline will not be a pri-ority anymore. Getting ac-cepted into House Abraham Fischer used to be a lengthy process in which only the cream of the crop were cho-sen. “The selection process used to be based on merits,” “Now that we are no longer private the university will decide who gets to live in the residence, not Vishuis. We will no longer be the big name we used to be,” Prin-sloo added. He fears less people will apply to join as the residence will no longer be able to maintain their unique Vishuis character.

The state-owned power utility, Eskom has im-posed infrequent stage-two load-sheddings ac-cross the country

- timeslive

5FM traffic reporter and contributor Sol Phen-duka and the station’s breakfast show manager Brendon Lombard, have been suspended follow-ing comments made on air about the Stellen-bosch family killings.

-Timelive

Protests in Malamulele, Limpopo break out after residents claim they are not receiving services from the Thulamela mu-nicipality.

-The citizen

1 0 8 Y E A R S COME TO AN END

Round 1:9 February 2015 18:30 Xerox Shimla ParkFNB Shimlas FNB Tuks

Round 2:16 February 2015 18:30 UJ Stadium, Johannesburg FNB UJ FNB Shimlas

Round 3:23 February 2015 16:45 CUT Rugby Stadium, BloemfonteinFNB CUT FNB Shimlas

Round 4:02 March 2015 18:30 Xerox Shimla Park, BloemfonteinFNB Shimlas FNB Maties

Round 5: 09 March 2015 18:30 Madibaz Stadium, PEFNB NMMU FNB Shimlas

Round 6:16.03.2015 16:45 Xerox Shimla Park, BloemfonteinFNB Shimlas FNB Ikeys

Round 7:23 March 2015 19:00 Xerox Shimla Park, BloemfonteinFNB Shimlas FNB NWU-Puk

Round 8 and 9: TBC

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2015

304 February 2015News

Receive And Give

On 31 January, The Uni-versity of the Free State to-gether with the RAG com-mittee proceeded down the streets of Bloemfontein for the annual receive and give (RAG) procession. Kovsie first-years and sub committee members from different residences took al-

Zanri Kotzé@picasso809

RAG float winners Karee Karee Wag’n Bietjie and Sonnedou Pictures: Sourced

most two weeks to build the floats.The fundrasing project has six major sponsors, with each sponsor injecting over R100 000, KFC being the main sponsor. Results for the floats were announced at Thakaneng Bridge.The Rag/Jool float winners for Pool A, are:

1) Karee, Wag’n Bietjie and Sonnedou.2) Vishuis, Roosmaryn and Akasia. 3) Armentum, Soetdoring and Imperium. Pool B float winners are:1) JBM, Wel-Wel, Marj-olein. 2) Veritas Emily Hobhouse and 3) Khayalami, Madelief and

ConLaurês.Overall winners are Karee Wag’n Bietjie and Sonne-dou. LeRoux Germishuizen, the owner of Karoo Republic, in charge of RAG media and marketing said, “The RAG Queen and Mr RAG make a big contribution to the funds, chicken run is one of the fundraising projects

initiated with the purpose of raising money for charity.” The top 20 debutantes who raise the most money be-come RAG finalists, engag-ing in various fundrasing activities. Chanté Marais, RAG Queen finalists of 2015 said, “I think most people see RAG as more of a party and forget what RAG truly is.”

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7Opinion 04 February 2015

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief - Palesa Morei

Deputy Editor and Sub edi-tor -Vuyisile Kubeka

News Editor - Claude van der Berg

Deputy News Editor - Zanri Kotzé

Sport Editor - Iavan PijoosLayout and Centrespread -

Tango Goode

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Office 47, SRC Building Bloemfontein Campus

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Will we speak a new language?

Palesa MoreiEditor-in-Chief @ palee_m

Aluta continua

Vuyisile KubekaDeputy Editor @ Vee_waar

I was sitting in the salon doing my hair. Like a typical junkie, this woman felt the need to document her entire appointment. She made me realise that our society’s drug of choice is not the illegal kind. But, our era has become so consumed by tech-nological consumerism. The worst thing we can imagine is no longer a zombie apocalypse, but a total media blackout. How irritating is it not when I am sitting across from a friend and they find their smartphones more intriguing than my company? The worst is when people start speak-ing like their phones, hashtagging everything in conversation. #Stopit. Don’t get me started by

You are what you tweetBy: Zanri Kotzé

that atrocious ‘LOL’ in-stead of just laughing like a normal person. We are all addicts and we are not even aware of the effects it has on our lives. We might as well glue our thumbs to our phones, because we have sold our souls. Think about an average night out, how many hours do we waste taking selfies? That is before we even get to the club. Then we have to up-load all these ‘gorgeous’ images on Instagram just so that they can see how you ‘pull up to the club’, but first wait, which filter do I choose? Like most drugs, tech-nology is a downer. We spend hours obsessing over another persons’ social feed and getting likes. Facebook has even made stalkers look well

poised with their daily rounds. Fights do not even occur face to face anymore. #twar. People post the most atrocious things about each other online hiding behind cyberspace, I’ve been a victim.We fail to realise how quickly something goes viral. Posting a drunken selfie might seem like a good idea at the mo-ment, but did you know that your future employ-er will check your social media history? Count-less people have lost out on jobs or gotten fired because of things they have said online. Put a guard next to your thumb, because you are what you tweet. Our habits, become who we are.

On Wednesday 21 January 2015 at about 18:40, two students while jogging on the Bloemfon-tein Campus, were approached from the front by a vehicle occupied by five UFS students. The vehicle allegedly swerved towards the two students and then swerved away. An exchange of words took place between the students, after which the vehicle drove off. None of the students sustained any injuries and no medical attention was necessary. The vehicle was traced on cam-pus shortly after the incident...

Oh, I thought it was zebra cross-ing. Palesa Morei@palee_m

*cues Miley* running for my life ... I came in like a wrecking ball. #DEARFIRSTYEARS watch out for those bakkies. Vuyisile Kubeka@vee_waar

Campus needs to work hard on transformation. Race is not the only reason there is tension on campus.Tango Goode@tangosays

Kovsie students have a new target market, road kill. Did he wait for the stop sign to turn green?Claude van der Berg@IRAWAPost

Whats the point of the new gate system if theres still theft on campus and is campus really saf-er for students?Iavan Pijoos@iavan13

Blackboard

I’m glad it’s not anther racial issue.Zanri Kotzé@picasso809

It is funny how one’s expectation of what varsity is like is hardly ever met. Some areas are either grossly overrated or surpass your expectations beyond what you could ever fathom. Coming into this university, like a slap on the face, I learned that in order for you to know something, you have to

want to know it. What are you exposing yourself to? Who is in your space? Why? When? How? Even when speed-ing down a road filled with land mines and spikes, the odd question that pops up in your head could be that slight indication that you are moving in the right direction. However, land mines and spikes aren’t signs of sunshine and roses, so you’d probably want to take a detour. Fill your head with won-der. Ask questions and then seek the answers to those questions. Every great idea started with a question, a need. New Year, same old same old. Thought we’d come back to free; fully functional Wi-Fi? Well.... just like that, the academic year begins. Hope everyone is rested and ready to tackle this New Year.

Recently the University of Stellenbosch enabled over 5000 students the ability to listen to a translated version of their welcom-ing. In an Afrikaans domi-nated setting, like our own I find it fitting that our university caters for all languages, a mere splash

of Afrikaans and English here and there shuns out other official languages in our country, and for a university striving for transformation, we are headed in the wrong direc-tion. Does the introduction of translation cater for another group, or does it show the continual indoc-trination of the language? Integration occurs when people are comfortable with each other, separa-tion will continue the disjointed circles we see it on a daily, hiding behind ‘culture similarities.’Since my first year at the univer-sity, students have been wanting classes and test papers where it doesn’t only cater for Afrikaans and English but also in a language dominate in the Free State, being Sesotho. The university shows no sense of urgency in cater-ing for its students.

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04 February 2015 8Sport

New innovations to Varsity Cup

Iavan Pijoos@Iavan13

Varsity Cricket debuts

Varsity cup mascots ready for the 2015 games Photo: Sourced

“Back your Boytjies”, that is all you will hear for the next month or two. This year the reintroduction of the white card, which will allow the coach and cap-tain to refer decisions for review to Television Match Officials (TMO) during games. Furthermore, it sees the addition of the Defen-sive Scrumhalf, which pre-vents the defending scrum-half to pass the mouth of the scrum once the ball has been inserted.The Shimlas added new

fire power to their coach-ing staff as they recruited former Springbok, Franco Smith as their head coach for this year’s Varsity Cup. “I’m excited about the new season and the new coach, his style of coaching will only benefit us this sea-son”, says Shimlas hooker, Jacques du Toit.Not only is it one of the big-gest rugby competitions in the country, but also a great platform for rugby play-ers to further their careers. The Shimlas produced some quality players in the 2014 season that went on to play Super Rugby and Cur-

rie Cup for the Free State Cheeaths. Oupa Mohoje was one the pacesetters last season as he made his debut for the Springboks. Former Varsity Cup player and Free State Cheetahs winger, Ray-mond Rhule said, “Varsity Cup gave me the confidence and opportunity to go out in the big leagues and express myself.” The Shimlas will be looking to get off to a positive start as they host UP-Tuks, Mon-day, 9 February 2015 at the Mecca of UFS rugby, Xerox Shimla Park.

Sport has always been an electrifying event on high school fields and as a first year, I cannot wait to become part of the Kovsie family. The variety sport-ing categories Kovsie of-fers, allows each student to further their sporting career. Sport at the UFS creates an exceptional platform for students to represent the university

By: Justine Fortuinon provincial and national level.The sport facilities are top class and the sporting staffs are one of the best in South Africa. This makes par-ticipating in sport so much more worth looking forward to. More so, the exhilaration surrounding the different sports categories, stirs up an eagerness to participate and support all the teams on

campus.Personally, I would be one of Kovsies biggest supporters and I would most definitely make it a priority to attend a few games out of each sporting categories. I would urge my fel-low first years that has a passion for sports to use their talents to their utmost ability.

Why I love Kovsie sport

The first ever Varsity T20 Cricket tournament will be held in Potchefstroom this year. Varsity Crick-et forms part of Varsity Sports group and the tour-nament, which began on 3 February 2015.

Cricket is one of the larg-est sporting codes in South Africa. T20 cricket has al-ways been one of the most exciting formats of the game.

The founder of Varsity Sport, Francois Pienaar said, “This is yet another fantastic opportunity for Varsity Sports to extend its footprint in the South African sporting land-scape. I'm very excited to see what the competition

dishes up and about the op-portunities that this tourna-ment will offer to our young cricketers from the country's top universi-ties.”

North West University will host a week-long tourna-ment, which will take place from 3-8 Feb-ruary 2015. The country’s top eight uni-versities will be invited to

the event, where enthu-siasts will be entertained with six matches per day. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Sunday, 8 February. The Varsity Cricket winner will rep-resent South Africa at the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Final which will take place in India in the

latter part of the year.

The matches will be played across three pres-tige cricket ovals at the University of North West, Potchefstroom, the Puk Oval, Ibbies Oval and Senwes Park. It creates an exceptional platform for University cricketers to show class their talent towards the Cricket World Cup which will be held in Australia and New Zea-land.

Iavan Pijoos@Iavan13

‘I’m very excited to see what the competition dishes up and about the opportunities that this tournament will offer to our young cricketers from the country’s top universities.’

at the Study Material Centreor Student Life Centre for only R65

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