MONDAY MONTHLY

THE NEWSPAPER JUNE 2014

UNEQUAL CELEBRATE OUT IN EDUCATION AFRICA AFRICA Are sociology and economics Relive Africa Month and UCT’s What’s queer about Africa – courses adequately preparing 20 Years of Freedom concert and what’s to be done about students to deal with poverty and and commemoration rising anti-homosexuality on the continent inequality? PAGE 4 PAGE 2 PAGE 12 Photo by Michael Hammond by Photo 2 MONDAY MONTHLY JUNE 2014 3

From 23 to 26 April 2013, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba led a delegation of eminent South Africans (which included Professors Njabulo Ndebele and Pierre de Vos) on a ‘solidarity visit’ to schools in the Eastern Cape. On the second day, they visited Ntapane Senior Secondary School, where there were 135 learners in one Grade 9 classroom (seen here), sitting three or four to a desk. Teachers stood pressed up against the blackboard, and contact with learners at the back We always say that the pie’s getting macro-economic courses, ‘growth’ unquestioned assumption that the This society of the class was almost impossible. and ‘development’ are two terms that youth wage subsidy is ‘obviously’ a bigger, but we never ask if somebody is you will almost always come across. good thing: “Maybe it is and maybe has operated for actually getting a bigger slice of the pie, “Poverty is central when thinking it isn’t. But the point is there is a 100 years in such or if it’s just the same people that are about economic growth. The way legitimate debate that goes on about a way that the we think about it is that you have a real issues, and it isn’t entertained. going to get the bigger slices. cake, and this cake must be divided. “We always say that the pie’s very way we have getting bigger, but we never ask generated wealth Joshua Budlender Some people can get larger pieces, some people can get smaller pieces.” if somebody is actually getting a has generated The ‘traditional’ way of solving bigger slice of the pie, or if it’s just poverty. [The] boils down to how individuals give us whatever, but this poverty the problem was to make the cake the same people that are going to behave, and the way they ascend to nonsense?’ Either they’re escaping bigger, says Muchapondwa. Much get the bigger slices,” observed way in which we [the superstructure]. from it, or they’re not concerned. of this way of thinking came from Budlender. used the migrant “The trouble is, if you ignore “In the subjects that teach theories that posited the separation Emeritus Professor Francis labour system that whole tradition of political inequality, you have disinterest. of ‘efficiency’ and ‘redistribution’, Wilson used his position as chair economy, it gives economics – They’re doing it; they’re making with a focus on efficiency until the to suggest that teachers needed to generated poverty including economics at UCT – a time, and [students] fail not because cake was big enough for it to be give students a “gut sense” of what in the rural areas very one-sided feel, especially when they’re stupid – many of them are distributed equitably. poverty was about. He observed … So it’s no use viewed from other disciplines. It clever – but [because] they think He agrees with Nattrass that neo- that students tend to confuse diverts attention from the political very little of it.” This is not to say classical economics dominates the analytical thinking with being skilful talking about and other superstructures that that all students are uninterested in scholarly landscape at present, and in technique, which is detrimental growth. You’ve interact with economic power, and researching poverty and inequality, that there’s a need for an economic to how they approach problems shape distribution.” got to talk about says Sitas; but in the main, this is history component. that require innovative solutions: how you shift the Another “blind spot” is the near- what he has observed. “Of course, we recognise that “This society has operated for 100 absence of economic history in the It doesn’t help that there is a “total there are different models which years in such a way that the very dynamics at work Unequal education course work, says Nattrass: “There’s urban bias” in the course content way we have generated wealth has explain how nations grow,” he in a society, and no compulsory economic history – not just in sociology, but across points out, adding that this is generated poverty. [The] way in I don’t think we of capitalism in the School of most of the university, says Sitas. why “high-level” courses expose which we used the migrant labour Economics, or of how political and There are also pedagogical issues students to both neo-classical and system generated poverty in the do enough about Story by Yusuf Omar economic struggles affected the that need addressing: “Inequality alternative models. rural areas … So it’s no use talking that. Photo by Sydelle Willow Smith way that incomes are distributed, is taught too economistically Furthermore, the undergraduate about growth. You’ve got to talk and the kinds of social insurance sometimes. It’s [reduced to] doing curriculum does expose students to about how you shift the dynamics at Emeritus Professor that have been implemented in the Do courses in economics and sociology adequately prepare bad economics in sociology, really, issues of poverty and inequality, says work in a society, and I don’t think Francis Wilson world over time.” whereas there are other inequalities, we do enough about that.” students to deal with issues of poverty and inequality in This gap means students are not Muchapondwa, but the next step is vital inequalities. taught that there are multiple paths ensuring that these bits and pieces “Finally, as sociologists, we can society? Professors Nicoli Nattrass, Ari Sitas and Associate to economic growth, when this is dovetail and add up to a coherent certainly the case, says Nattrass. do only this much,” says Sitas, foundation of knowledge that Professor Edwin Muchapondwa debate the point. holding his hands slightly apart. “It students can put to use. Inequality in all would be fantastic if these themes were being taught differently, and Let them eat cake Economic theories that justify the Speaking at a seminar devoted to of Sociology at UCT, and Associate which tends to be dismissed as, ‘Oh, Let me put disciplines status quo dominate curricula – to interrogating whether the university’s Professor Edwin Muchapondwa, that’s just wrong’. But the trouble is, through different lenses in other By its very nature, suggests Sitas, Joshua Budlender, an economics the detriment of students’ ability to economics and sociology curricula head of the School of Economics. it resonates really strongly in other it bluntly. Most spaces – and not only that they sociology tackles inequality: “It’s honours student present at the navigate the real world, says Professor are adequately preparing students were taught, but that we knew they disciplines and in society. students are about an unequal, interconnected, debate, agreed there was not Nicoli Nattrass, a professor in to deal with issues of poverty and A space for radical were being taught; in other words, “And the thing about radical not interested in patterned and evolving sociality. It’s enough debate about economic UCT’s School of Economics and a inequality in society, Nattrass was political economy political economy – and you don’t that we could communicate with theories at an undergraduate level: poverty. ‘Give us to be expected that sociology would each other.” researcher at the Centre for Social joined on the panel by Professor Neo-classical economic theories have to believe in Marxist labour teach something about inequality “There’s no real attempt to Science Research (CSSR). Ari Sitas, head of the Department theories of value; in fact, there’re a identity, give us engage with South African issues – which gained near-hegemony … Well, it does. If you take away Explicit economics during Margaret Thatcher’s reign as lot of Marxist economists who use multiple identities, sociology and social development [in class]. For example, why is What [economists] don’t take seriously British Prime Minister in the 1980s fairly mainstream economic tools give us sexuality, and some other centres in other Meanwhile, Muchapondwa agreed it the case that throughout my is the kind of radical political economy, – are simply assumed to be the – is that it takes a broader look at give us whatever, faculties, [the teaching of inequality] that while the economics curriculum undergrad there were always snide only logical way to think about the power. It looks at power more like will disappear.” did address issues of poverty and comments coming from lecturers the old Marxist tradition, which tends to world, argues Nattrass; and as such, Marx used to talk about it. but this poverty Sociologists at the university are inequality to an extent, it could do so and students, about COSATU, say get dismissed as, ‘Oh, that’s just wrong’. students are not properly exposed “There’s an economic base nonsense?’ Either pondering the high failure rate of more explicitly. – ‘Oh, these are the unions; they’re and a superstructure, and this “In most of our courses, you the troublemakers; they’ve got no But the trouble is, it resonates really to alternative ways of thinking. they’re escaping their courses, and Sitas offered one Third degree: (from left) Professors Edwin Muchapondwa, Ari “For me, the persistent blind superstructure is serving particular explanation. probably won’t see a section interest in developing South Africa; strongly in other disciplines and from it, or they’re it’s all about their own interests’. Sitas and Nicoli Nattrass debate best practice for teaching spot is political economy … What interests at a class level, whereas “Let me put it bluntly. Most explicitly spelled out as ‘poverty sociology and economics, with a view to preparing students in society. [economists] don’t take seriously economists tend to push that away not concerned. students are not interested in and inequality’, and it’s because of “That’s something that permeates your entire undergraduate career.” to grapple effectively with societal issues. Photo by is the kind of radical political as an embarrassing afterthought, and poverty. ‘Give us identity, give us the approach we’ve tried to take. In Michael Hammond Prof Nicoli Nattrass economy, the old Marxist tradition, look at the individual. Everything Prof Ari Sitas multiple identities, give us sexuality, most of our courses, particularly the Another example was the BRIEFS

Multi-million rand grant for ACC study GSB academic to advise Presidency AWARD boosts agricultural UCT a ‘flagship’ African university UCT actuarial scientists win top award UCT finalists compete for annual research in Africa NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards UCT’s African Centre for Cities (ACC) has recently been UCT Graduate School of Business’ Emeritus Professor A report on eight universities in Africa has judged A paper on healthcare costs in the final year of life, authored awarded approximately R35-million from the ESRC/DfID Norman Faull is set to become an advisor for the Department Jacqueline Kariithi, a PhD researcher from Kenya in the Department UCT the only university of those studied to meet a by senior lecturer (actuarial science) Shivani Ramjee and Eleven UCT researchers out of a total of 56 finalists nationally have been Joint Fund for Poverty Alleviation Research (Poverty of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) within the of Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT, is one of 70 set of ‘flagship goals’. The other seven universities, research assistant Matan Abrahams, has won a ‘best in nominated for the prestigious NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards for 2013/14. in Urban Spaces theme). Led by Professor Vanessa Presidency, and will set in motion a programme to improve women to receive a two-year African Women in Agricultural each included as the highest-performing university in category’ prize at the 2014 International Congress of The national awards celebrate outstanding contributions to Science, Watson, the research team will focus on urban poverty, government departments’ operations management, with Research and Development (AWARD) Fellowship in 2014. its country, were Botswana, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Actuaries (ICA) in Washington. The paper was one of two Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) in South Africa. specifically through the lens of food, in three secondary the ultimate aim to boost service delivery in South Africa. Currently supervised by Professor Michael Meadows, Kariithi’s Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique), Makerere South African actuarial studies singled out for awards among Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research Prof Danie Visser believes the cities in Africa: Kisumu in Kenya, Kitwe in Zambia and Founder of the Lean Institute Africa (LIA) at the GSB, Faull will specialisation is ecotourism, a field that includes agritourism and (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), Ghana and Mauritius. the 225 actuarial papers and presentations delivered at the nominations reflect the strength and depth of UCT’s research, as well Epworth in Zimbabwe. This work builds on existing ACC help the DPME roll out an Operations Management Support nature-based tourism, and which – like other forms of niche tourism The report found that two of the ‘flagship goals’ of congress. Of these, only 16 papers received awards. The UCT as the exceptional commitment of UCT researchers. UCT finalists networks and partnerships, including the African Food Programme on a trial basis. The programme is still in its initial – has become a growth industry in many parts of the world. Her each of the eight universities were firstly to engage in academics highlighted key methodological considerations include Eric Bateman, Jean Cleymans, Valerie Mizrahi, Keertan Dheda, Security Urban Network (AFSUN), the Association of stages, and consideration will be given to the most appropriate research is about managing natural resources via an integrated high-quality research and scholarship, and secondly in an investigation into the costs incurred by health insurers Genevieve Langdon, Paul Barendse, Thomas Scriba and Grant Theron. African Planning Schools (AAPS), and Women in Informal approaches in order to foster service delivery improvements approach to nature-based tourism in the Mount Elgon region of to deliver knowledge products that will enhance as a result of the provision of benefits during the 12 months The winners will be announced at the NSTF-BHF Billiton Awards Gala Employment: Globalising and Organising (WIEGO). while building the public service managers’ skills. Kenya and Uganda, which is renowned for its hot springs and caves. national and regional development. preceding a beneficiary’s death. Dinner on 3 July 2014. 4 MONDAY MONTHLY JUNE 2014 5

Celebrating Africa

Photos by Michael Hammond, Raymond Botha and Scruffy Dog Communication

Billed as ‘the antidote to Afro-pessimism’, this year’s Africa Month affirmed our continental connectedness. It marked a moment to celebrate diverse cultures, while also highlighting issues of common concern.

Africa Month kicked off with intra- games in the Sports Centre. The theme was Celebrating Africa Through Sport, and there was plenty of that as basketball players (pictured) slammed some impressive dunks. • Johnny Oriokot (in green) of Easoc vies for possession with Obi Chigozie of eventual winners Ghanasoc in UCT’s third annual Mini Africa Cup of Nations on 17 May. • About a dozen children, aged six to 12, engage in singing games, known as ukuqula, in a demonstration of traditional African games on Jammie Plaza. • Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo, who spearheads UCT’s Afropolitan drive, shares some words of encouragement with staff who participated in the painting and beading workshop to celebrate Africa Month. Gumboot dancers show how it’s done – Africa-style – on African cuisine being sampled by the UCT community as part of the annual Societies Plaza Day on Jammie Plaza, as part of Societies Plaza Day. Jammie Plaza.

Mama Gloria (centre) from the Khumbulani Centre, which provides a holistic educare programme Music legends and UCT honorary alumni Letta Mbulu and for families affected by HIV/Aids in Khayelitsha, accepted a donation of cash, clothes, food, toys, Caiphus Semenya perform some of their best-loved hits for an stationery and other much-needed items collected from commerce staff and students at the appreciative audience at the UCT Alumni Concert held at the faculty’s colourful Africa Day celebration on 27 May. .

Our grandfathers of humanity, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Tata Nelson Mandela, and the man who lived in South Africa and planted the seed of reconciliation, Mahatma Gandhi … taught us that there is wisdom in At the Law in Poetry event, doctoral student Anthony forgiveness. If you learn to forgive, you learn to live with Diala recites his Bring Back Our Girls poem, in which he expressed outrage at the abduction of more than 200 more calmness within your innermost [being] and you Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamic extremists Boko Haram. become more free. If you don’t forgive, you are the one who is suffering the most. You are like your own prisoner. Bring back our joy! You become like the bitter leaf that can just be squashed Were it your child, your sister, your friend or be swept away by the wind any time. Forgiveness is Music student Zinzi Nogavu sings a traditional lament, Vukani You would act with promptness Students celebrate the completion of a 12-week beginners’ course in Xhosa. This year some 60 important, and we should all wear it like a crown. Noba Nilele, in honour of Mandela’s life, at UCT’s 20 Years of What madness is this? participants, most involved in community outreach work, received their certificates indicating their Freedom concert. Vusi Mahlasela What nation kills its young? basic understanding and proficiency in the language.

Master of ceremonies Deputy Vice-Chancellor Thandabantu Nhlapo officiates over the formal part of the proceedings at the Freedom Concert on 22 May, which saw the Law staff and students in traditional African attire hold up a #Bringbackourgirls placard at the Postgraduate Law Students’ Council’s celebration of all things African. The UCT community celebrate 20 years of democracy and pay tribute to Nelson Mandela’s legacy. • Guitarist and alumnus Shen Winberg loses himself in Vusi Mahlasela’s music. #Bringbackourgirls campaign was launched to pressurise the Nigerian government and the international community to prioritise the girls’ rescue. • Panellists participating • Vice-Chancellor Dr unveils the commemoration plaque to mark the renaming of Ring and Rugby roads as Madiba Circle / iSekile kaMadiba / Madiba Sirkelpad. in the Big African Debate examined the space where sexuality and the law collide following their concern over increasingly oppressive anti-gay laws passed earlier this year • Perennial favourites Freshlyground wow the crowd. For some of the alumni in the band, including lead singer Zolani Mahola (left) and violinist Kyla-Rose Smith, UCT is in Uganda and Nigeria. The speakers were (from left) Dr Barbara Boswell, Adewale Maja-Pearce and Professors Pierre de Vos and Julia Stewart. home turf. • Award-winning house sensation Mi Casa ended the concert on a high note. 6 MONDAY MONTHLY JUNE 2014 7

And I had done an hellish thing, And it would work ‘em woe: Fisheries’ For all averred, I had killed the bird That made the breeze to blow… footprint Samuel Taylor Coleridge Story by Helen Swingler Photo courtesy of Assoc Prof Colin Attwood

An experiment in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles off Hondeklipbaai on the west coast of South Africa will tell UCT marine researchers how long the seabed –

and its ecosystem – takes to recover after SAEON’s submersible video camera is deployed to document what lives on the seabed of trawl hake trawling operations. lanes along the West Coast – and how long it takes marine life to recover after trawl fishing.

The Benthic Trawl Experiment is a four years for previously trawled lanes, two of which will remain New footage inaccessibility, they aren’t often joint research project with the South lanes to bounce back. open to trawling. The remaining observed in their wild habitat. But ‘Scare lines’ African Deep Sea Trawl Industry three will be closed over the Two-and-a-half hours of video they migrate vertically, coming up Association, the South African Monitoring change project’s lifespan. footage of the seabed, shot during to feed at night. As such, much of Environmental Observation Network Data recovered during repeated the first of the experimental surveys the trawling is done during the day SAEON’s Lara Atkinson, who is (SAEON), and the Department of surveys over this time will give on board the research vessel Ellen when the fish are near the seabed. reduce albatross Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. managing the project, says: “We researchers a clearer idea of Khuzwayo in February, show marine “Mass food production has an It’s the first in a series of have been planning for a long time recovery among seafloor species – life previously not seen on the environmental impact, and it’s experimental surveys of the to get this experiment under way, and of the ocean floor itself, which seabed: jacopever, spiny eels, starfish, great that we have the fishing impact of bottom trawling on the and we’re very excited about this becomes churned up by metal anemones and other crustaceans – industry’s co-operation on this deaths by 99% benthic communities – organisms opportunity to be able to monitor trawl ‘doors’ (some weighing up to and hake. experiment,” says Attwood. “They that live in or on the seafloor for any changes in the benthic 10 tons) angled to hold open the “The footage is very clear; it’s understand that we need to limit – of the outer shelf of South communities in the areas where net mouth as it’s pulled along. the best and most systematic video harvest to replenishable numbers, Story by Helen Swingler Africa’s west coast, says chief trawling has stopped.” A towed camera and a Van Veen we have of life in the trawl lanes,” and that it’s important to work Photos courtesy of Dr Ross Wanless scientist Associate Professor Colin The experiment established a grab (instrumentation used to says Attwood. with the ecosystem.” Attwood. These will be conducted 6-by-15-nautical-mile block (within collect sediment) will be used to Hake live in deep water during annually, though Attwood says it one of the fisheries’ commercial sample the benthic epifauna and the day, the bulk at depths of A 30m length of strong rope with five to 10 paired lines will take longer than the allotted blocks) and divided this into five infauna respectively. 350-600m; and because of their of visible streamers attached; that’s all it takes to make a ‘scare line’, instrumental in the dramatic decline of seabird mortality through trawl fishing off our coasts. OPINION

Seabirds, especially albatrosses 100 000 albatrosses, are lost in this Climate change and petrels, are drawn in their way each year.) thousands by the offal discarded from onboard processing factories. Scare lines mandatory While they’re scavenging, they mitigation Scare lines are based on the ‘tori become tangled in the thick cables line’, invented by a Japanese long- holding trawler nets in place, Harald Winkler & Samantha Keen, and drown. line tuna fisheries captain. While A seven-year research project, these weren’t successful for tuna Energy Research Centre recently published in the international fishing, scare lines have proved scientific journal Animal Conservation, to be very effective for the trawl Despite climate action so far, annual emissions of global-warming has shown a 90% reduction industry. They’re now mandatory for the South African fisheries in seabird deaths and a 99% greenhouse gases (GHGs) continue to rise – more rapidly than in UCT Professor Harald Winkler, reduction in albatross deaths industry. The scare line is tied to the back the decade before, 2000 to 2010. assisted by Samantha Keen, and since 2006, using ‘scare lines’ – a Professor Dave Dewar joined 30m length of strong rope with of the moving trawler and a road cone (traffic cone) at the seaward authors and expert reviewers five to 10 paired lines of visible About half of historical cumulative coal being used. The efforts to emissions are in part for products climate-change mitigation. Negative streamers attached. end provides drag that tensions from more than 55 countries in the line and keeps it aloft behind greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions improve energy efficiency and exported to, and consumed, in carbon technologies – such as bio- assessing scientific, technological These scare lines work by have occurred in the last 40 years. find alternative energy options are high-income countries. energy with carbon capture and the vessel, usually parallel with the and socio-economic literature distracting and confusing the One has to ask: how can this be? being outweighed by the opposite The trend of growing emissions storages (BECCS) – will be a critical trawl cables. relevant to tackling climate birds, keeping them away from the Where is the growth in emissions trend: we (as a planet) have been They’ve become part of everyday means we are way off track in component of a global emissions trawl cables. coming from? As part of one of burning dirtier fuels (coal and oil), limiting global warming to 2°C pathway to warming levels within change for the Intergovernmental life at sea, and are testimony to three working groups contributing and lots more of them! above pre-industrial levels, let 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Panel on Climate Change’s fifth the importance of stakeholder Accidental deaths to the IPCC’s fifth assessment High-income countries (the alone strengthening that politically Decarbonisation requires large report, ‘Climate Change 2014: relationship-building. Researcher Andrea Angel with a Tristan albatross on Gough Island during a study of the species’ report on mitigation, 235 experts IPCC’s report on mitigation uses agreed goal to 1.5°C. Without changes in investment patterns Mitigation of Climate Change’. Key Accidental seabird deaths during sex- and age-related changes in wing patterns. These get whiter with age, with the males overseen by 38 review editors World Bank country classification increased mitigation, current – a 20% decline in carbon- findings of the Working Group fishing pose the single biggest Partnerships becoming more white, earlier. threat to these populations, says the assessed nearly 10 000 publications by gross national income per emission trends put us on a path intensive sectors, and double the III’s contribution to the IPCC 5th co-author of the paper, Dr Ross “We’ve worked closely with the to find answers. capita) are responsible for to 3.7° to 4.8°C above by the end past levels of investment in low- Assessment Report (AR5) were Wanless, seabird division manager hake fishery since the early 2000s to As it turns out, three quarters of disproportionately large per capita of this century. Even assuming carbon energy. Renewable energy presented at a public seminar and the Africa co-ordinator demonstrate that avoiding seabird “As a condition of certification, collaboration with the Ocean Conservation the growth in GHG emissions is emissions. The poorer half of the climate action described in the technologies are maturing; we need hosted by the Energy Research of the BirdLife International by-catch is good for business the fishery had to assess the risk of View Association for Persons with from energy supply and industry these countries emit more than Cancún Pledges – if extended at to scale up deployment rapidly, as success stories are Centre on 14 April, the day after its Marine Programme. (Wanless is and for the environment,” says seabird by-catch,” says Wanless. Disabilities, and provide an income – much of this from fossil fuel six times the per capita emissions that low level of ambition into the these are the most sustainable also a UCT research associate Bronwyn Maree, Albatross Task The road was long – and not to people such as Aubrey, a former hard to find. Rarely combustion, cement production, of the poorer half of the lower- future – average global temperature resource alternatives. Co-benefits, release in Berlin. The evening was and alumnus.) Force leader for BirdLife SA. without bumps; but in the end, fisherman who came to the centre are they the result and flaring. Two key drivers of income countries. Within the increase above pre-industrial levels such as improved air quality, well attended, and the audience As a result of fishing, fifteen of In 2004 the hake trawl fishery the trawl industry didn’t want after an accident put him out of of simple, elegant these emissions are economic income groups there is glaring is likely to near 3°C. Clearly, more further offset the cost to society heard responses to the report from the 22 albatross species off our became the first fishery in Africa to be seen to be damaging work. growth, and – to about roughly inequality in per capita emissions and urgent action is needed. of shifting investment. government, business and civil coasts are under extreme threat of to obtain Marine Stewardship the environment. “Conservation success stories solutions that are half the extent – population between the poorest and the We need to decarbonise electricity Technology and investment society. This event followed the extinction, along with many other Certification. This ensures fished “Everyone – from the deck hands, are hard to find,” says Wanless. truly win-win. growth. Simply put, the problem richest, especially in high- and far faster than we have, in all sectors form part of the plan; but the African Climate and Development seabird species. stocks remain stable and healthy, to the skippers, to the CEOs – “Rarely are they the result of of emissions growth is due to lower-income countries. However, of society: government, industry, most instantly implementable Initiative open discussion meeting Research showed that annually that ecosystem-wide impacts bought into the idea,” says Wanless. simple, elegant solutions that are Dr Ross Wanless the affluent population. Most emissions per capita in upper- business, and individuals – and, mitigation option is that of on 2 April, where key insights some 10 000 seabirds were being are minimised, and that there is It’s a good-news story all round, truly win-win.” worryingly, the trend of gradual middle income countries are most urgently, the high emitters. behaviour. Behaviour change and challenges were shared not just for its happy ending. decarbonisation of energy increasing – pointing to the carbon Improving energy efficiency is the most cost-effective (and killed accidentally by the trawl fishery, continued monitoring of – and from the IPCC Working Group 70% of which were albatrosses. compliance with – prescribed Sponsored by Total South Africa, supply from 1970 to 2000 has footprint of the global middle and reducing energy demand is equitable) mitigation option, and II’s contribution to AR5, ‘Climate (Globally, 300 000 seabirds, including fishing regulations. the scare lines are built in been reversed; and the carbon class, including in South Africa. important, but is not enough on it is essential for reducing energy intensity of energy has increased The report points out that upper- its own. Low and zero-carbon demand and emissions without Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation from 2000 to 2010, due to more and lower-middle-income country technologies play an essential role in compromising development. and Vulnerability’. 8 MONDAY MONTHLY JUNE 2014 9

Good friends in low places

Author and herpetologist Marius Burger, who led the Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA) field surveys during the ’s Reptile Atlas project, speaks to Helen Swingler about the adventures – and misadventures – of a fieldworker.

How many years of seem to be expert ventriloquists, them. But that puffie changed the my request again; but invariably The concept of citizen scientists fieldwork did you put in and will send you criss-crossing schedule. Ten days in a hospital in we were swamped by hospitality, has been well established in for the Reptile Atlas? the desert at night in the hopes Pretoria, four surgical procedures and in many cases the new Europe for some decades already, of locating the little clicker. They later, and five months for the friendships became lasting ones. but it’s relatively new in SA. Some The fieldwork component stretched call from a tiny burrow in the wound to heal ... I’m happy not to And speaking of new friendships, faunal groups are obviously more over three summer seasons, during sand, and will pull back when have lost the thumb. It’s thin and a total of 61 volunteers joined popular, like birds. But I must which time I travelled to priority you approach too closely. So, in stiff, and without much sensation, me on the SARCA fieldtrips. admit I was pleasantly surprised sites all over South Africa, and essence, you have to search for but it’s still there. There’s no A few, I think, have recovered to see more-than-expected interest clocked in excess of 100 000km. a little hole in the sand and then glory in getting bitten. In fact, reasonably well after they received in SARCA, and specifically the lie down quietly for perhaps it’s an embarrassment, and an post-SARCA therapy! SARCA Virtual Museum. Citizen Why the fascination with ten minutes, while trying not to inconvenience. I would love to scientists contributed a substantial reptiles? breathe. With some perseverance – have reached 50 years into my What’s the value of chunk of the SARCA dataset, Ah, reptiles – my good friends and luck – you’ll be rewarded when herpetological career and be able citizen scientists in an and as our society is continually in low places! Well, I guess it’s a a little head pops out of the hole to boast a bite-free track record. endeavour like this – transforming over the years, group that’s generally shunned by and stares unblinkingly into your There goes that plan… I imagine the general I anticipate that these interest most people, and I was fortunate torchlight. And then suddenly it public would have groups will continue to grow. to develop an alternative stance will lick its eyeballs with its tongue Favourite anecdote been more comfortable The geometric tortoise is critically endangered and now restricted to a tiny habitat in the Wellington-Porterville area. It is now estimated that only 700 to 800 at a young age. Once I realised – windscreen wipers for the desert from the Reptile Atlas? gathering data for the geometric tortoises survive in the wild. Photo courtesy of capenature.co.za. the fascinating ways of reptiles dust. Other favourites include exercise? butterfly or bird atlases? chameleons, of course. And the and their substantial diversity, I I enjoyed the SARCA way of life; Gaboon viper is out to impress. started searching for them at every we got to travel vast distances opportunity. I must admit that You’ve had a too-close to explore areas that – initially it was a snake fascination. herpetologically speaking – were REPTILEs UNDER THREAT But after rolling thousands of encounter with a puff adder during your poorly known. Our gap analysis rocks in search of snakes, or snake would pinpoint the areas of Story by Helen Swingler food, I gradually became besotted fieldwork. Are you okay now, or missing body interest, and typically I would with the likes of lizards, tortoises, phone an agricultural co-op in the and frogs. In no time my fetish parts? South Africa and its neighbours Lesotho and Swaziland have nearest town and inquire about matured, and ‘herping’ became my I could have done without that ordeal. accommodation on a nearby the world’s third most diverse reptile fauna – a population lifetime career. We were in the Waterberg region, en farm. I loved those conversations: route to the Soutpansberg. The “Hello. My name is Marius Burger. documented in the Animal Demography Unit’s most recent Favourite reptile? night before, we’d done some I want to catch snakes and lizards atlas. But the conservation of almost one-fifth of these species The first contender that springs to road cruising and collected a on your farm. And I need cheap mind is the barking gecko. These young African rock python, and accommodation or camping for Reptile Atlas author Marius Burger chats to locals about lizards and sub-species is of extinction concern, because of habitat fellows gave me a good run for my this damned puff adder. The four persons for ten days. It’s for and other reptiles during a fieldwork trip. Fieldwork spanned three money when I first tried to home plan was to photograph them a good cause.” After a longish summer seasons. destruction and alteration. in on a ‘calling’ individual. They in the morning and then release pause I was usually asked to repeat

UCT’s Animal Demography Unit And long overdue – the last “SARCA sprang from the Harrison incubated an innovative development in the other. Both (ADU) has co-ordinated and Red Data Book was compiled realisation that reptiles as a group plan to address these issues, it originally had restricted distributions. recently launched their fourth atlas, by Bill Branch and published in have largely been ignored in was evident that much of this In common with the findings Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of 1988. Since then, 200 additional conservation planning – not only in information was missing for the for many other groups of species, Citizen scientists: South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, species have been recognised – South Africa, but globally,” says Dr reptiles of the region. There was the main threats to reptiles are published as the first monograph an increase of 50% on previously Marienne de Villiers, SARCA project information on the distribution of habitat degradation and loss through of the new South African National recognised diversity. manager and one of the atlas’s species, but it was scattered, and not agriculture, afforestation, alien invasive the power of small numbers Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) “Many taxa were previously seven editors. easily accessible.” vegetation and urbanisation. Suricata series on various South considered sub-species, but have “This is largely due to a lack of The atlas gives a much clearer But the publication is not a field Story by Helen Swingler African animals. been elevated to full species,” says information. To conserve something picture: that one in every five of the guide, says Underhill. It’s intended The atlas lists the conservation Underhill. you need to know what you have, region’s species is of conservation for conservation planners and The Kalahari plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus multilineatus), featured status of the Southern African Some 405 taxa were assessed, where it occurs, and how well concern; two are extinct and 36 managers, researchers, legislators region’s 422 species and sub- 90% of which had never been or poorly it’s doing, and what is are threatened with extinction. The and environmental consultants; in the recently launched Reptile Atlas, lives in holes between roots species of snakes, lizards, tortoises assessed before, according to threatening it. loss of the two extinct species, as well as professional and and turtles, some 45% of which the International Union for the “In 2003, when Professor Graham both lizards, can be attributed to amateur herpetologists. of shrubs in the bushveld and Kalahari sandveld of Namibia. Until are endemic to this area. Conservation of Nature’s (ICUN) Alexander of Wits and ADU’s James afforestation in one case and urban Data-rich, it includes information Red List system, an internationally recently it had never been photographed. But thanks to the efforts of on the distribution and habitat of endorsed scientific approach to citizen scientists, there’s now a visual record of this handsome lizard. each species, as well as the threats assessing species’ extinction risks. to its survival, and the conservation Until now, many maps for reptiles measures needed to ensure it stays had been based partly on data, but Public participation is being ADU’s Virtual Museum (vmus.adu. The data went straight into the “One of the ways I’ve participated off the endangered species list. largely on guesswork. For the first backend of the ADU’s Facebook time, maps are available for each harnessed by the Animal Demography org.za) – and each is identified by Virtual Museum. is by recording a bird list every page: who reads it, how it engages Words and pictures species showing only the places Unit (ADU), co-ordinators of the a panel of experts. These records The growth in public participation time I walk from my flat to UCT.” people, and how far-reaching the where it has actually been found. Reptile Atlas, to provide a reach far not only provide information on has been spurred by developments Around 1 360 citizen scientists data is. Featuring distribution maps for, Such pin-point species information beyond formal fieldwork. Such is the species distribution, but also yield in digital photography and GPS contributed to the South African Keen to build exposure to and photographs of, each reptile (a provides the foundation for power of the humble citizen scientist. useful information on rare species. units, which have revolutionised Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2) science at the critical school levels, first), the publication is the product conservation plans. “[Citizen scientist] contributions In April, citizen scientist Laurenda data collection and made virtual database. Of these, 43 submitted Hofmeyr is also working with of 135 512 records, gathered by The conservation message is are invaluable,” says ADU director van Breda submitted a report and museums possible. 500 or more checklists, at least transmedia education publishers leading reptile scientists and citizen paramount, Underhill emphasises. Emeritus Professor Les Underhill. photograph of a black percher Now, anyone with a digital camera one every five days since the Siyavula (whose online textbooks scientists, under the auspices of the “The wealth of data and information (Diplacodes lefebvrii), a tiny dragonfly can become a citizen scientist. project began. Collectively, they’ve are free to download as open South African Reptile Conservation Conservation crucial contributed by these people, collated she’d spotted at the Cape Flats “They help us fill in a lot of submitted 37 000 checklists, some education resources), to get citizen Assessment (SARCA). and curated at the ADU, and analysed Nature Reserve. Experts confirmed gaps,” says Underhill. 37% of SABAP2’s database. science material into their books. As such, it’s the most thorough Because most reptiles are predators by its students and staff, has greatly that her find is not only very rare in “By becoming involved in these The impetus has taken the The idea is to grow citizen assessment of reptile conservation and help control populations of improved biodiversity conservation the Western Cape, but also that the projects, people learn an enormous ADU’s Virtual Museum to a new scientists early. ever completed in Africa, says pest species such as rats, mice, in Southern Africa.” black percher had never before been amount about the natural world,” milestone: 80 000 entries. ADU director Emeritus Professor mosquitoes, flies and termites, they UCT’s Animal Demography Unit co-ordinated the recently launched the Atlas and Red List of the Detailed reports of reptile recorded on the Cape Peninsula – says ADU postdoctoral research Hofmeyr is investigating the Les Underhill. have a large impact on ecosystems. Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It joins works on birds, butterflies, insects, and frogs. finds, with photographs and GPS the few records for this species range fellow Sally Hofmeyr, whose role of translational research co-ordinates, stream in to the from Citrusdal to East London. interest is science communication. communication, looking at the 10 MONDAY MONTHLY JUNE 2014 11 CLASSIFIEDS

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Thus, the Fischer-Tropsch and Western N|uu variety – is the last related physical activity, such as walking In post-apartheid South Africa, English as process could secure access to transport related language to |Xam (which features and cycling, can contribute to getting a spoken by the middle classes in particular fuels and bulk chemicals essential for the prominently on South Africa’s coat of community more physically active. Bartels’ is converging, with young people speaking chemical and pharmaceutical industry arms). Shah’s poster highlighted one aspect study describes the profile of MyCiTi bus an English very different to the often long after depletion of crude oil reserves. of the N||ng Language Project, namely the users and quantifies the impact of active ethnically-identifiable varieties spoken Cobalt is a fantastic catalyst for the Fischer- development of a practical orthography (the commuting on their daily physical activity. by their parents – a process Professor Tropsch process, but is very expensive. conventional spelling system of a language) A total of 1 473 MyCiTi bus passengers and Rajend Mesthrie has termed ‘deracialisation’. That’s why small cobalt crystallites are that will help the community maintain their non-users were interviewed; unsurprisingly, It is the aim of Chevalier’s research to track typically used to optimise its activity, at language. Another major component of MyCiTi users accumulated significantly the vowel shift happening in Cape Town minimal cost. To maintain a small cobalt the project is to make archived audio and more time in active transport and total English; and thereby, determine the extent crystallite size during the process, a catalyst text files on this language accessible to physical activity than non-users. of the deracialisation of South African support is used. This support is a ceramic the community. English via the degree of participation in (such as alumina) that acts as a solid this change by various Capetonians. sponge over which the metal is dispersed. Typically, the support comprises 80 to 90% of the weight of the total catalyst, and only 10% is the actual catalytically active metal compound. 12 MONDAY MONTHLY

Zambian artist Milumbe Haimbe explains the concept of her art piece The Revolutionist – a digital illustration/print. out IN Africa?

Story by Abigail Calata Photo by Michael Hammond

Africa Month ended on a high note with a host of events under the Queer in Africa banner. ‘Queer’ artists and activists from around the continent gave their interpretation of what it means to be African at – among other events – an exhibition, a panel discussion and a whole-day symposium.

A pan-African problem that some cases, might be worse than in art and music, poetry and discussion queer in very many African We need to embarrasses us all is how Vice- previous years.” combined to ensure that what locations,” said Nyanzi. Chancellor Dr Max Price described might come across as remote, aloof Kenyan academic Dr Keguro recognise that the upsurge of homophobic Growing prejudice and a bit ivory-tower to activists Macharia, in his dissection of the these are our sentiment across the continent at and artists is opened up and made recently published Queer African He called on universities, their students and that the opening of the Queer in Africa: accessible to them.” Reader, urged his audience at the presidents and vice-chancellors Confronting the crisis symposium. panel discussion to remember that these students are This one-day conference on from around the world to stand Queer culture the emergence of queer studies is at risk upon their June 2 saw African scholars and up for the rights of their LGBTI linked with Aids and death. Performances by poets and musicians return home; and activists coming together to try and students and staff. “We need “We need to remember that accompanied the opening of the that we need to make sense of the “rising hatred to recognise that these are our ‘queer’ begins not as a term of and anti-humanist turn in the students and that these students Critically Queer exhibition at the celebration or inclusion, but as a do something to continent”. It was the culmination are at risk upon their return home; Centre for African Studies (CAS) term of mourning. In queer there Gallery at the end of May. In her protect and defend of a series of events on the Africa and that we need to do something is always a proximity to death and them and change month calendar that included to protect and defend them and keynote address there Dr Stella dying and disposability. It’s a very the Critically Queer exhibition and change the environment they live Nyanzi, a medical anthropologist necessary reminder that the way the environment a panel discussion titled How in,” he urged. from the Makerere Institute of we use queer might have an ethical they live in. and what is queer about Africa, and The Queer in Africa events come Social Research at Makerere focus that’s linked to disposability, why now?. after increasingly oppressive anti- University in Uganda, explained and linked to the bodies and lives Vice-Chancellor Price pointed out that in South gay laws were passed in Uganda that the crisis facing the LGBTI we throw away. Dr Max Price Africa the rights of lesbian, gay, and Nigeria earlier this year, community in Africa is legal, “It’s worth noting that nobody bisexual, transgender and intersex bringing the number of African political and cultural. talks about queer marriage, but (LGBTI) people were protected countries with anti-gay laws on “In Uganda to be anti-gay, gay marriage. The word ‘queer’ is by law, “but the attitudes, the their books to 38 of the 54 states. homophobic and anti-trans is to an uncomfortable term. We have practices and the extent to which Price shared his delight with be patriotic. So, how can queer to be consistent, the meaning of there is hate speech and action as the fact that the events leading Ugandans be true to themselves these terms is not just a given. well as discrimination directed at up to the symposium were “multi- when they are labelled unpatriotic? We have to fight for the meaning such individuals continues, and in disciplinary and multi-focal, (where) Nationalism is necessarily anti- associated with these terms.”

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