Humanities Update Showcases Just a Few of These Many Cases of Excellent Performance in Teaching and Learning, Research and Public Scholarship

humanities december 2014 upd te

INSIDE: Technology giant partners with UCT P8

in the Karoo 12

One on one with Phylicia Oppelt P20

Study Abroad students love Humanities P24

UCT School of Dance celebrates 80 years of excellence P30 CONTENTS FACULTY NEWS

Greetings to Faculty alumni from the in Dean of Humanities The first year in a new position is always a daunting experience and it has not been any different for me these last 12 months since I joined the UCT Faculty of Humanities. However, I am happy to say this that my time in the Faculty so far has been extremely eventful but exhilarating and rewarding. I have been humbled by the support and co-operation I have received from staff and students and it is a tribute to all of them that 2014 became yet another year of great successes and stellar achievements. This Humanities Update showcases just a few of these many cases of excellent performance in teaching and learning, research and public scholarship. issue The UCT School of Dance turned 80 this year and to celebrate the FACULTY NEWS: occasion, the school organized a spectacular production in October called Rockefeller Bellagio Creative Arts Fellow 2014 04 dance institution. During the year our students were involved in outreach activities of UCT Masters student goes to Humanities of Nllng 05 Washington 19 in Khayelitsha and the Stepping Stone project involving staff and students Update is a Faculties collaborate on business ethics 22 book 06 College of Music who have been selected to produce ringtones for the new newsletter for CFMS takes digital skills to Khayelitsha next generation 23 youth 07 alumni and friends 26 “This year we will confer a record Technology giant partners with UCT 08 of the Faculty number of degrees” SACM students produce new Queer in Africa 09 27 of Humanities, In the area of teaching and learning, staff and students of the Faculty Chilean President focuses discussion Stepping Stone project cultivates University of on gender equality 10 new talent 28 Cape Town. Live Art Festival 2014 11 Retrospective Exhibition connects in a series of public panel discussions titled The University and Society. The past to present 29 12 UCT students ALUMNI University hosts Carnegie African 37 Diaspora scholar 13 TRAILBLAZERS: discussions on the position and role of the University in our society. UCT Opera School shines at the 14 FEATURES: 34 Politics Professor joins top fraternity 15 and students are treated, and treat one another, with respect and dignity. International accolades for Lily Students experience Xhosa language One on One with Phylicia Oppelt 20 Becker 34 and culture 16 I hope that you enjoy reading this Humanities Update and I encourage you Art Workshops bring joy to local kids 17 24 to tears 34 First conference on Political Psychology UCT School of Dance celebrates 80 Pauline Alexander recieves VC hosted on local soil 18 years of excellence 30 Award in 2014 34 Sakhela Buhlungu

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Rockefeller Bellagio Creative Arts Fellow 2014 award

Associate Professor Berni Searle has been awarded a HU: When does your residency with the Foundation Bellagio Creative Arts Fellowship. These fellowships are commence and what does it entail? In November 2013 and January 2014, awarded to visual artists who, inspired by global social B: Drs. Sheena Shah and Matthias issues, produce work of an exceptional standard. Berni It involves travelling to Bellagio in Italy, which is located on the Brenzinger (UCT Department of is a well-known South African artist, she lectures at the Linguistics) travelled to Upington in Michaelis School of Fine Art and is an alumna of the the Northern Cape to work with Katrina same institution. She is one of only three recipients of the Bellagio Fellowship award in 2014. Humanities Update The idea is that Fellows either produce a new body of work, or the most endangered language of people today. Together with her HU: What does being named the Rockefeller Bellagio advantage of this by creating a new body of work in response granddaughter, Claudia du Plessis, Creative Arts Fellow mean to you? B: the end of the residency, the Foundation publishes a catalogue Ouma Geelmeid is currently teaching her mother tongue to close to 35 children in an effort to preserve this Bellagio residents have also included writers such as Maya HU: Bodies and women feature prominently in your work. heritage language. Dr. Matthias Brenzinger pictured with Hanna Koper, one of the last five What is the inspiration behind this? B: selected as one of three Fellows for 2014, is therefor a great the Northern and Western Cape by privilege and honor. The Rockefeller Bellagio Creative Arts as well as posters for teaching purposes citizens. The conference attracted Bellagio Center. The Center, through conferences and March 2014. of its objectives was to ensure that all any As one of three postdoctoral research Even though the language is spoken by conferences. This provides an opportunity to establish new which is located within the School of connections with other professionals around the world, and HU: You obtained an MAFA from Michaelis in 1995 and now HU: You’ve received a number accolades during you hold a teaching position here. Do you feel that you’ve your career. Which award stands out as the most come full circle? What do you enjoy most about your efforts. Thanks to a Faculty of memorable and why? current position? B: B: established a network of all scholars was definitely a highlight. It was the first opportunity years. The language was thought to locations across South Africa, which up until that stage I Michaelis lecture theatre, in which years ago I sat as a bewildered had not had the opportunity to do. Awards are generally an student. Being a student at Michaelis in the late 80s and early based language teaching efforts require recordings are not only of greatest speakers were “rediscovered” around value for linguistic research, but also Shah is helping to produce readers for the

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

About the Rockefeller Bellagio Creative Arts Fellow in Teaching and Learning Award for 2014. The award, which was given in recognition 2014 award: The selection panel for the awards consisted of Fellows receive a cash prize, a residency at the Bellagio as a publication of their work after the residency.

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Faculties collaborate on Business Ethics book Business Ethics & Other Paradoxes is a book which @ CFMS takes digital skills to accounting procedures. But it also acknowledges that Khayelitsha youth an acquaintance with abstract ethical theorising is not enough to prepare businesspeople to handle ethical that the best way for anybody to learn to behave ethically is Business Ethics & Other Paradoxes seeks to equip its readers with the key ethical concepts and

Commerce students will no doubt face ethical dilemmas when they enter the working world, and with this in worry about and wonder how to think clearly about. mind three academics from UCT – Dr Greg Fried and Dr George Hull (Philosophy Department) and Jimmy Winfield (College of Accounting) - have launched a reading it”: Professor Don Ross book to help them face these challenges. Published by Fairest Cape Press, Business Ethics & Other Paradoxes: How Philosophy Answers Questions about the Ethics of Business is useful for teaching ethics and critical thinking skills to undergraduate or postgraduate An exciting initiative is bringing the latest digital and game design technology to a new generation of urban techies. students as well as business professionals. The book draws “I was not at all looking forward to opening a book called Creative Code is a partnership between UCT students and Khayelitsha’s IkamvaYouth in a project designed to expand on the three authors years of experience jointly teaching access to South Africa’s Information and Technology sector. It was also a World Design Capital 2014 project the Business Ethics course gives an intriguing clue about its approach and style. As it career opportunities available within years. Business professionals are required to take decisions very few South African children are Khayelitsha. that affect not only their own welfare, but also that of their It is written by philosophers who can think, who can write in a design allows young people to use their addition, businesspeople increasingly have to give an account access at school level is pretty low at when, and if, they enroll at tertiary that access to the kind of subject Visual Art curricula at school. Creative inequalities. This book helps show that business ethics is Code not only about fair dealing between business people. It does created by poorly resourced schools, through teaching digital coding using Capital 2014 initiative, Creative Code the one hand, they can be excessively focused on the the visual design language Processing, codified rules and procedures of specific professions, at centuries of sophisticated philosophical discussion. It is an and drawing on African visual traditions, the expense of providing tools for the reflection required ideal textbook for those who see courses on business ethics in township schools and Creative to understand why certain acts are right or wrong, and as having a dual purpose: not only to educate students Code at the risk of failing to equip students and trainees for that teaches youngsters the basics situations not covered by the various codes. On the other hand, they can be excessively preoccupied with highly Jonathan Wolff The partnership involves teaching For more information on Creative Code as well as ways to become and that utilize Open Source software. involved, visit: For more information, please contact Michele at Fairest https://www.thundafund.com/ Cape Press, [email protected] acquire technical skills but they are Creative Code ProjectDetails.aspx?projectId=256

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In response to rising homophobia and laws against same-sex sexualities in Africa, the Institute for the Humanities dialogue for wider constituencies” said in Africa coordinated a series of Matebeni. events and a symposium titled Queer in Africa: confronting the Crisis from keynote speaker Professor Vasu Reddy 29 May to 2 June 2014. This was the academics, artists, activists and journalists from Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Netherlands, presents us with the opportunity to ask The UCT School of Education and INTEL Corporation Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, USA, deeper and critical questions about living, cemented a partnership to support the University of Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa being and negotiating a very contested Cape Town’s Educational Technology Inquiry Lab. Vice According to Dick, one the key challenges facing educators to deliberate on how society can struggle as queers living in Africa. President of INTEL, John Davies travelled from the in general and teachers in particular is that they do not have make sense of the anti-humanist turn company’s headquarters in California to attend the launch, which took place at the university on 26 June 2014. collaborative ways of responding to the homophobic crisis. phones is because they do not understand what and how to activists, scholars, in the way we produce Education designed to facilitate inquiry into educational technology research and pedagogies. ETILAB creates a understands, and understanding is a precursor to innovative series of 2014 events also included pedagogy. This understanding of technologies does not happen in lecture theaters or during a class session, it happens before the class and only technologies that educators future. The research hub brings together postgraduate that addressed the challenges faced Africa, Africa and the rest of the world to address the and prescribe long jail sentences or by lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Queer in cost technology can be integrated into teaching solutions Africa: confronting the crisis involved to suit local conditions. It is the brainchild of Professor Dick which was directed at engaging with initiative and wanted to support the realization of the bigger vision. Now this collaboration with INTEL is set to reap huge critical issues. “Through such initiatives, The lab is now equipped with cutting edge technologies that accessible book titled Reclaiming of Cape Town as a civic institution, but Afrikan: queer perspectives on gender learning across Africa and beyond. Future plans for ETILAB and sexual identities as well as a series which is a key strategic goal for the of papers which will be featured in the institution. Issues that violate social Non-normative’ sexual and gender diversities in Africa) of the journal Agenda. in educational technology research on the continent.

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Steyn du Toit (Cape Times September 3rd 2014.)

Presented by the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA), the second Live Art Festival took place in August and September this year, attracting a diverse audience and featuring thirty-nine performances by local and international artists.

Curated by Professor Jay Pather, as an opportunity for Femininities, Framed (and Framing), Body and Mortality, Republic, The Abject Object and The Periphery as More than 600 people attended of gender and sexuality fit into our this exploration of citizenship speaks Threshold a discussion on gender equality analyses of the context and our held in Jameson Hall on Sunday screenings prior to the Festival. 10 August 2014. The dialogue, Do these questions still offer robust Ngoyi, Phila Ndwandwe and Bev Ditsie entitled ‘Does Gender Still matter and courageous options concerning to the ongoing work of Political and Economic Liberation’ was Gender in Dialogue featured several organised by the University of Cape influential speakers such as Ms Town’s African Gender Institute everyone inbetween. opportunity to feed the soul on a feast of creativity”, took place in partnership with the Nelson over ten days at the City Hall, and various other public spaces Mandela Foundation. Chilean President Bachelet expressed their President Michelle Bachelet was Mbuyiselo Botha who works with Sonke deep concern over the level of violence the special guest of honour at the event which formed part of the 12th a UCT researcher and activist with around the world. Both underscored Nelson Mandela Annual Lectureship Series. President Bachelet is the equality and each called for a first female president of Chile change in the ways in which gender and an internationally recognised and writers in the region. Dr Sello proponent of women’s rights. Hatang, director of the Nelson Mandela According to Associate Professor Foundation was also in attendance. risked their lives, their children and UCT graduates and students participated in the Festival by Western Cape Network on Violence appearing in productions and gaining valuable experience by through the politics of the day. “As liberation of her people, we continue this work, this work of liberation until Art Festival are available on www.gipca.uct.ac.za and regular children in filthy school toilets, dragged Mandela Foundation lecture series was: cars, or at the hands of rapists, and we Building social cohesion through active the UCT website. grapple with the fact that South Africa citizenship. According to Bennett, the choice to include a strong focus on the social injustice. Where do questions politics of gender and sexuality within http://www.gipca.uct.ac.za/

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Study explores human-wildlife conflict in the Karoo Black backed jackals and caracals are the subject of a study involving the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR). With the decline of employment on farms, the ending of fencing subsidies and research is being conducted by Marine the growth of nature reserves and ‘life-style’ farmers (who do not seriously Drouilly under the supervision of farm livestock), these predators are proving increasingly problematic for the sheep farming community in the Karoo. Working with local farmers, the Karoo Predator Project aims to understand the ecology of predation and to explore collaboration with Professors Nicoli ways of protecting biodiversity whilst ensuring sustainable livelihoods. disciplinary study of the social, in the area and in the nearby reserve of Anysberg. She has also collected Africa, Asia and India. “We currently livestock because new predators soon as four jackals called LeRoy, Rain, Mr they are seen as having a preference African Diaspora scholar Associate for wildlife over sheep. Researchers LeRoy the jackal has travelled over Professor Ismail Abdullahi visited the Library and Information Studies been studying predator ecology and Professor Nattrass. Centre from 14-25 July this year. His internationalization of LIS education, As part of the study, Beatrice Conradie visit forms part of a collaborative Education, Sciences, Technology, project with North Carolina and diversity and internationalization of and how best to respond to it. Central University on curriculum co-development in Library and “The past two years has seen an Nattrass and Conradie have written Information Studies education. The lead the UCT project, working with Pictured above: Marine Drouilly with University of Cape Town is one of Associate Professor Abdullahi. A key North Carolina Central University in predator scat and two farmers (Lukas concerning predator ecology and lethal 31 worldwide sites selected by the Botes and Piet Gouws) who have been control and have been analysing data Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship postgraduate students would like an very supportive of the research. on the relationship between culling Program for such collaboration. opportunity to do a study stint abroad predators and subsequent stock The Carnegie African Diaspora to enrich their educational experience. by providing an opportunity for enriched, suggest that killing caracals is probably international postgraduate study within educational projects at African higher education institutions. Offered by the student exposure to diversity and lost the following year, but this appears Institute of International Education intercultural issues in higher education to be untrue for jackals” says Professor in partnership with Quinnipiac Nattrass. proposal to the IIE” says Associate The study is currently in its second research on the internationalization of Professor Raju. LIS education, with a focus on Africa. Next steps include strengthening links only deepen the understanding around The two weeks in July were spent working on the proposed exchange Pictured above /photo 1 (group) and 2: Ginger the caracal being inspected by a vet on biodiversity and culling going forward. pair scholars with higher education (and the farming family on whose land she resides) before being released. She now institutions in Africa in order to student exchanges are anticipated to can be found at: http://www.cssr.uct. LIS staff, postgraduate students and professional hunters from killing her during night hunts. ac.za/ssu/projects/karoo

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Head of the UCT Opera School Professor Kamal Khan with students Makudupanyane Senaoana and Thesele Kemane

An Opera documentary titled Asked why she had produced this Ndiphilela ukucula (‘I live to sing’) has been awarded an Emmy in the category Best Arts Program at the 2014 Emmy Awards ceremony. UCT international audience. young South African Opera students. Opera School students Linda Nteleza, The students say they greatly valued According to the Director of the UCT Makudupanyane Senaoana and the opportunity of being part of a Thesele Kemane are featured in the uniquely South African story. Soprano South African Opera is starting to attract 2013 movie, directed by Documentary Linda Nteleza is currently a second Filmmaker Julie Cohen. era where Opera is experiencing such Ndiphilela ukucula follows the tenor Makudupanyane Senaoana is Professor Robert Mattes (second row, centre) received his award at the ASSAf inauguration dinner held in Pretoria on 14 October three students who talk about their 2014. Image appears courtesy ASSAf backgrounds, their experience on being UCT Opera School students as well as Africa, to witness our UCT students Professor Robert Mattes is one of 23 academics selected to join the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in 2014. He received the membership award at an inauguration Productions and United Nations recently been awarded the prestigious event held in Pretoria on 14 October. Mattes is Professor Television. Additional sponsors in the Department of Political Studies and Director of the at the highest level possible. South Democracy in Africa Research Unit, at the University of have been told in various ways but I have Africa has a unique role to play in world Cape Town. Arnhold. Set against the background of Opera is essentially a European art this”, said Khan. gap between the natural and social sciences in South Africa,” said Mattes. despite adversity. Earlier this year, infringing on the African cultures but by career choice” says Senaoana. and students. expertise to the organization on a voluntary basis. Mattes is

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weaved through a herd of sheep, the conversations about boyfriends and Art workshops food and learning Xhosa turned into an oneiric hush as we swerved into bring joy, and play, to local kids suddenly realize it is two weeks here, Each year, Dr Tessa Dowling takes a group of her Xhosa Communication students to Cata, a small rural village located near Or a place to plug in a hairdryer. Or life, whilst enabling them to hone their language skills. It is also an emotional and eye-opening experience from which no one returns the same. the reason they are here: to listen to “During apartheid, villagers were water is. The 2014 class have been hard at work all year fundraising for the next trip which is scheduled to take place A group of Humanities students are using their considerabl skill to bring free Art Workshops to the children of a disadvantaged Cape community. Dr. Dowling who is a senor lecturer in The workshops are hosted at the Umtha Welanga Aftercare Centre African Languages at UCT. In 2008, have not had the opportunity to learn in Khayelitsha and enable young children to engage in creative play. Dedicated Art classes are not available at most township schools. Xhosa students Sivenesi Subromaney and Kira Schlesinger gathering language at school. There is also an its history of reclamation research into language change in next extract, she describes the sights and sounds of Cata as well as her nouns and concords, has already been accepted for publication in the South You wake up to the sound of African Journal of African Languages. people greeting each other with loud The second part focuses on the use of Xhosa vocabulary and on the ways written account of the experience: Molo, mhlobo Because of the sporadic arrival of the children our plan had to be adjusted wam words into the urban Xhosa vocabulary. phone each other but still shout their After studying language use in Cape greetings across the hills. Children, Town, Dr Dowling observed that for instance instead of using the Xhosa piglets outside the house, crawl into word uphahla for roof, children use bed with you and teach you, with an air i-roof, instead of isiselo for drink they of sophisticated tolerance: Yingubo use i-drink. “I hope that what I discover Yifestile and laugh at the way you say their texts. Children need to learn the of the language but educationalists also need to take into account that “Yingxaki vocabularies shift and change all the follow you to the loo, which is just the all languages” says Dowling. engravings using crayons and black acrylic paint” says Kavula. the wobbly door shut while you pee, For more information visit the website: http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/ Akhongxaki, akhongxaki articles/entry/article-southafrica.net- students signed up for next year so that the Art Workshop outreach project lives on” cata-cultural-village says Kavula.

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First conference on political psychology hosted on local soil

University of Cape Town psychology In addition to the conference, political lecturers Dr. Shose Kessi and of political psychology in society. He Dr. Ines Meyer are interrogating suggested that universities conduct valued in understanding the current transformation from a different longitudinal research so that social angle. They are interested in the psychological factors that inform Additional guest speakers included discipline known as critical psychology identity, attitudes toward race, Professor Saths Cooper, Vice President has been utilized for this purpose in South violence and politics in South Africa of the International Social Science Council and President of the International political psychology. A renewed focus in South Africa takes a critical stance on societal issues in general, not just an ideal opportunity for this discipline related to political behaviour and attitudes to expand our understanding of South African society. guests have either expressed an interest the politics of a nation, raising issues of Earlier this year, the 20th Congress of in research collaborations with South citizenship and belonging. It considers Earlier this year, Political Studies which include the World Bank, the Psychological Society of South African researchers or have already Masters student Sihle Nontshokweni, International Finance Corporation conducted such studies with us in the was elected by the South Africa – the SAWIP initiative was undoubtedly What does psychology contribute to past. While we want to develop a South Washington International Programme International Studies and John Snow our new democracy? In response to African agenda, we believe that it should their relative access to power and to represent South Africa in a six this challenge a conference of political still link to international best practice. This resources in a society. Central to this are month leadership programme which where Nontshokweni was placed. The experience challenged her to engage psychologists was hosted in Cape Town took place in Washington, DC. The evenings are occupied with networking programme extends only 15 places to sessions, consisting of high profiled by Drs. Kessi and Meyer and sponsored young South Africans each year. US professionals focusing on US to The idea for a conference was SA relations, Africa foreign policy and on delicate issues of race, history, and the International Society of Political the history of other world powers. governance, leadership redistribution at a ISPP annual event. Whilst the two policies and social entrepreneurship. understood as arising out of a particular She describes SAWIP as a launching on a research project, there is enough leaders. Its vision is to help establish a pad that hones both personal, thought overlap in their respective research pool of individuals who posess global and people leadership. interests to suggest a partnership the 2014 conference include the a perspective and exposure and, who also travelled to New York were they political psychology in South Africa, the businesses operating in the US. prospect of future research activity and selected for SAWIP, candidates are psychology expert. Professor Richter research interests include identity and the opportunity to bring South African required to be South African citizens also addressed an audience of fellow difference, particularly in relation to race research to the fore. “One of the key own reason, rational and critique of an discussion on political psychology. South African scholars, was that it posess a record of excellence and work and in the papers that I intend to He has published extensively on the provided an opportunity for us to see our work as being part of broader political Currently, students are recruited social relationships and has a particular psychology discipline. The event also research interest in political rhetoric, students in higher education, including facilitated international networking for Stellenbosch and the Western Cape. I have gained through SAWIP truly future collaborative research and we are service orientated leadership” says very pleased with the feedback so far” Sihle Notshokweni. a difference. ” the Minister of Higher Education , Dr said Meyer.

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interests by ensuring that we are always aware of the shifts and changes in our society and the world.

HU: What, in your opinion is the most important role of the media in a democracy? ON WITH PHYLICIA OPPELT PO: watchdog role, which I believe is vital to strengthening and health of our “I am an equal

opportunity bully” HU: When you reflect on your time as a UCT student, which memories stand out? PO: I found UCT a daunting experience Phylicia Oppelt is no stranger to PO: It pays attention, like the rest PO: spending your entire life as a Cape controversy. As the editor of the of the country, to gender issues and dislike for people who are the subjects Flats resident, attending a coloured Sunday Times in South Africa, she is of stories in the paper. I know very tribunals as a way to narrow down school that had been severely both reporter and newsmaker. Feared have never regretted taking a chance few politicians or businesspeople on our voices, then I get very angry. disrupted by protests and boycotts and respected in equal measure, and have found a profession that has a personal level so there is no one I Last year, when our investigative unit and then entering the pristine walls of she has built a reputation as an brought great rewards and also huge particularly want to protect or expose. assertive, frank, take-no-prisoners journalist who encourages her staff HU: Many of our students and exposure of her unethical conduct, the find your way in an institution where to pursue the truth, no matter how HU: Can you tell me a bit about your graduates aspire to a career in print journalists were villified publicly. They uncomfortable. But what few people journey in journalism so far? and broadcast journalism. What were called corrupt and villified. But After four years, I was just relieved know is that she is also an alumnus PO: would you say to inspire these they never stopped reporting, refused of the Faculty of Humanities at UCT. students? to be cowed. In the end they won the Humanities Update was fortunate concerned. Having said this, I would not PO: to observe the wealth and privilege to speak to this incredibly busy and want to be given special dispensation of white students, to never have to hugely inspirational women. explore ideas and writing, strive to be feel like a second class student. In HU: You obtained your Bachelor of HU: The South African political Arts degree from UCT in 1989 and HU: What kind of leader are you? space has probably never been as then completed a Higher Diploma in where I edited the Daily Dispatch for four What would your staff say about your attacks by those who want to curb contested and/or interesting as it is Education in 1990. What informed years before returning to Johannesburg. leadership style? currently. Considering your position the career change, from education to PO: as editor, what are your thoughts journalism? privileged space to be part of. regarding what is going on in the PO: I only studied teaching because country at the moment? HU: What or who inspires Phylicia plenty of bursaries were available. HU: You are no stranger to controversy PO: Oppelt and why? My parents would not have been able the opportunity to learn about different and have often taken a stand for what PO: My daughters, Hanan and Pia cut through issues clouding a story and you believe, regardless of whether our country. the decision was popular or not. How that is how I ended up at UCT. Once the issue, not the person, to deal with important is press freedom and lack HU: On 1 March 2013, you were of censorship? that they are capable of astonishing PO: It is a guaranteed right in our pulled it out of its disintegration. graduating in 1990, I found a job of the Sunday Times in its 107-year Constitution and therefore utterly paths and being the possessors of history. Do you think the media HU: Does the media shape public industry has been slow on the HU: What is the single, biggest opinion, or is it the other way around? uptake as far as gender equality is misconception people have about PO: It works, or should work, both be a better journalist and person that I concerned? your job as Newspaper Editor? of our society. This is fine. But when ways. If there are critical issues facing was yesterday.

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inspires the next generation

Award-winning classical guitarist African artists produce their own James Grace is taking the music world by storm and simultaneously international study. securing a future for a new generation Medal, an award presented by the of young artists. Grace is currently Royal College of Music in London Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town. in establishing the trust is to ease that received the KANNA Award winner for Best Male Artist at the 2010 ABSA the Western Classical Music section KKNK, the kykNET Fiesta award for at the South African College of Music. Best Classical Production in 2011 as corporate sponsorship and donations, to postgraduate level. In addition to so if there are any potential donors providing individual practical tuition the Johannesburg Festival, the the Royal College of Music in London and peers at a concert hosted by the visiting international artists. World Café, Sevilla – Music of Spain II, Café Latino, Portrait and Granada), In 2011 we reported on a faculty recruitment intiative called the Stringwise Young Artist’s the Wannabe@ Humanities network. The objective behind Trust this programme is to identify and support grade 11 and designed to help young South 12 learners who demonstrate academic potential and an is thriving, boasting close to 50 successful undergraduate applicants for 2015. students in the whole of the University. “One of the biggest sense of belonging already because we have exposed says Bonani. who has recently been elected by the student body to serve on underpinned by the knowledge that it is often a lack of “If you believe in yourself you are capable of doing everything. said Bonani. Since inception, the project has facilitated and look forward.”

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I LOVE THE UCT FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

Study abroad students love Humanities!

Pictured left to right: University of North Carolina, Greensboro students Sarah Fox; Tynesha McCuller and Binh Duong

Each year, The University of Cape institution is The University of Rochester study abroad in South Africa because of its HU: has the experience of being Town hosts semester study abroad “Being here rich political history. As a Political Science in South Africa changed your tensions of race have played out both in (SSA) programmes for international perspective/ world-view? What are students who wish to spend time at in South African Dance, and Culture, Identity, and you learning in the process? out within Cape Town and have tried to the university. Although all Faculties and after effects of Apartheid within South TM: Being here is South Africa has participate in the programme, Africa has Humanities is proving to be the most HU: Why did you choose to study in popular academic destination for changed my the Faculty of Humanities at UCT? conducive to studying this. about the idea of the progress of these seasonal students. TM: who teach and learn in different ways. perspective abroad but have let the wishes and HU: What are the similarities or Wesleyan I took a class called “Political differences? of the world CG: is different, the weather is different, Asian and African countries developed undergraduate courses over one or two tremendously” sized school in upstate New York. Most the food is different, the culture is of the students are engineers or on their different, the values are different, My Third World Politics class tries to HU: Where is home? the people are different and this has TM: heavily based in research. Everyone is Carolina in the United States. I attend studying abroad. Prior to this trip, I had pretty nerdy, in a good way. The city of I have never once felt as if the United African perspective school at The University of North States was the center of the world but recognizing that if the United States perspective. by Historical Studies and Sociology that I desperately wanted to go to Africa stopped, the rest of the world would for Research Methods, Social Justice Semester Study Abroad students traveling can be quite expensive during apply either directly (in their individual capacity) or through a partner university programme or know can sound quite strange but it is through a centralized programme such as the Council for International CG: there are other ways for things to get Studies Abroad Education Olivia Exchange (CIEE), International the size of UR. I think the professors are Studies Abroad (ISA), Connect-123, less personable than UR because of the OG: Surprisingly, being in Cape Town Arcadia or through the Institute to establish what they believe they are OG: has brought a lot of perspective of the for International Education of learning in the process. University in Connecticut. I wanted to Students (IES).

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The second Humanities Alumni Career Talks took place from 10 - 11 September 2014. This year’s initiative consisted of a TEDTalk on innovation, video vox pops, a careers twitter campaign and an evening of networking with prominent alumni. Themed “The value of your Humanities degree’, the annual event brings together current students and successful alumni, who share their experiences and career opportunities. The 2014 event featured a diverse panel of speakers representing four ALUMNI creative arts sector. Alan Hirsch, who share career has played a leading role within experiences @ is now the director of the University South African College of Music students have compiled SACM students. “We encouraged our students to collaborate said that postgraduates students in particular stood an excellent chance release in 2014. The project was part of a Microsoft/ Nokia initiative called ‘Sounds of the World’ which saw students competing for a chance to have their work featured in this international project. The ringtones will be released via Microsoft’s new Lumia 535 phones, across Africa. Brand Manager for AMSTEL Lager and other iconic South African beverage the course. In addition, three are pursuing a BMus degree and “Tabletop” by Siyabulela Jiyana and Keketso Bolofo and Nathan provided an alternate degree by dissertation. Theo Herbst, who is Head of Music opportunity to apply what he is learning on the course in a Technology at the SACM, initiated the University of Cape Alumni guest speaker Alan Hirsch was the former Chief Economist in the Office of Presidency and has played a leading role within Government Herbst provided ongoing support and guidance to the UCT opportunity to be placed in front of such a sizeable audience is agencies for many years. contribution within civil society instead. participants. “We were initially contacted by Henry Daw, Principal Sound Designer at Microsoft/Nokia Devices. that this is what the future holds. Now the world is listening. is a graduate of the Michaelis School student talent. Fine Art students Sakhela Buhlungu and was open to all When Henry provided us with an outline of the project, we of Fine Art and prolific artist who works interested students. In a recent interview on the project, Microsoft representative and Alexander Oelofse wowed with a “I found the 2014 event to be a such an exciting initiative” says Herbst. showcase of incredible artwork and wonderful celebration of excellence in Posters were soon published on the UCT student Vula site a South African College of Music the Faculty and I also felt respected by Microsoft/Nokia Head of Sound Design Tapio Hakanen and personally, and hopefully also for all the students involved. I Business Day and the Johannesburg thank SACM for their participation” said Daw. Art Fair as one of the top ten young Fine, Jaren Hendricks and Jo Kunnuji, and hopes for the future were certainly South Afrian artists practicing in The full ‘Lumia Conversations’ can be accessed from the South Africa. during the networking stage of the of the Tech Talk series initiated by Herbst at the SACM. Although company’s blog site: evening. The event was hosted by the initial focus was on attracting Music Technology students, http://lumiaconversations.microsoft.com/2014/11/18/lumias- provided an opportunity to showcase the Dean of the Faculty Professor the invitation to participate in the project was extended to all latest-regional-ringtones-born/

26 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 27 FACULTY NEWS FACULTY NEWS

Faculty hosts discussion on TRANSFORMATION

STEPPING STONE

PROJECT CULTIVATES

The University and Society issues that concern the role of the University today. NEW TALENT

Professor Stephen Inggs staged a The Centre for Film and Media Studies will host a retrospective exhibition this year screening during meridian on 1 August of short promo “Stepping Stone has been as part of the University’s Inaugural Northwestern University, the Library of videos made by participants during an intensive five Lecture series. The event took week outreach video training programme, Stepping structured in a way that place on 17 September, at UCT’s Stone run at the UCT TV Studio during the mid year creates opportunities for Hiddingh Campus. The exhibition research interests include the study vac. This is the fourth cycle in the lifespan of an titled Index, presented a survey of of objects and places in a wide variety initiative that provides foundation video training to creative collaboration and work spanning 25 years, which he local disadvantaged youth. social interactions between describes as ‘a connection of an The Stepping Stone project was established thanks to ever expanding anthology of the and photography, each of which has between UCT and non-UCT overlooked, recording that which is communities” naturally transient’. Professor Inggs to issues of identity and the politics of is a professor of Fine Art and former Director of the Michaelis School of project has been growing since the end of 2012, and this develop talent through creating educational opportunities Fine Art. and to create new and innovative video content. A respected visual artist, Professor creative practice. locally and internationally, in solo and The inclusion of an exhibition within an group exhibitions, art fairs such as purpose of the screening is to celebrate the participants AIPAD, Art Chicago, Photo LA, the since these are typically delivered as outside of conventional higher education. Liani Maasdorp, hard work, showcase the UCT social responsiveness International Print Triennial in Krakow an oration. The lecture was attended by projects featured in the videos and to give each participant in Poland where he was a prizewinner has been structured in a way that creates opportunities for creative collaboration and social interactions between private and corporate collections including Iziko South Africa National October 2014.

28 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 29 FEATURE STORIES FEATURE STORIES

UCT School of Dance, formally known as UCT Ballet School, celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2014. The School was founded in 1934 by South African Prima Ballerina Dulcie Howes and initially formed part of the South African College of Music, headed by Professor WH (Daddy) Bell. The School is very proud of its alumni and of its history of training some of the most talented dancers and choreographers in the country. During the height of apartheid, famous students included, Christopher Kindo, Robert Philander, Nigel Lucas and many other students of colour. Today, it is a vibrant, contemporary and multi-disciplinary teaching space staffed by 6 full-time staff as well as 6 guest-teaching professionals. Although it is one of the smaller academic departments within the Faculty of Humanities, it is one of the most sought after dance training destinations on the continent. Humanities Update sat down with alumnus and current Director of the year milestone as well as the important developments that have taken place over time.

HU: The School of Dance is still a very niche institution and students come from? UCT SCHOOL OF DANCE, GS: We set the bar high and there are stringent entrance criteria. 120 students. Currently, we attract the bulk of these students students who are attracted to the diversity of our dance

anniversary and what are some of the fundamental shifts that have occurred in the School over time? GS: We are one of the oldest School of Dance attached to a university in the world and so I think the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on our past and to plan for because it enabled us to take on a new identity through of the dance styles being taught here. In addition, the school that reflect the two newer dance disciplines: African Dance

30 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 31 FEATURE STORIES FEATURE STORIES

specialization and a Ballet specialization. These have been GS: The potential for career growth is considerable because of directly into opening their own businesses or dance studios. Most School began offering its first, bachelors level degree dance courses and teaching that happens at UCT because we occupying posts such as choreographers and professional are located within a South African context. Although we are part type of qualification offered here. Teachers in schools falling under the Western Cape Education celebrate our African identity. HU: Is a study of dance the preserve of students from advantaged backgrounds only? How do talented individuals, lacking in formal training, gain access to UCT School of Dance? GS: provide us with an opportunity to develop a localized succession We are incredibly fortunate to have the expertise of seasoned Photographs: Katherine Traut, Viral Visionary The reality is that over the next few years, we will be looking at identifying individuals who are at the forefront of innovative dance pedagogy, to occupy future posts here. All of these changes have occurred as we respond to shifting hop training in their local town hall. We invite these students to notions of concert theatre, social dance, teaching, choreography FAST history is tied to the history of this country. Post 1994 and in capacity to pass each year. Outside of this, the only way we FACTS Dance is part of the expression of the culture of a society, so when • UCT School of Dance is one of the oldest Dance the culture of the society is changing, dance and its associated institutions in the world and, alongside San industries will also change. Historically, Classical ballet was the Francisco Ballet School it was one of the first to be do believe that there are too few options for prospective dance attached to a university. • private dancing school into the South African College of Music at the invitation of Prof WH Bell. institutions at this level. The question is: what kind of intellectual • attached to a university. HU: You are also a graduate of the School having been • mentored by Dudley Tomlinson, David Poole and former director, Mignon Furman. From student to Director, what’s • it like to have come full circle? GS: • to offer and that I can safely steer us in the unchartered waters. Studies and Dance Teaching Methodologies in • choreographer, Lecturer and pioneer of disability arts. This new hat as PhD dance scholar and researcher is one that I know both • Since 2008, the school has a had 12 post graduate Honore and Prof Elizabeth Triegaardt can be proud of. students and two Masters with distinction • Today auditions attract over 200 aspiring dancers HU: What kind of careers options are available to UCT School of Dance graduates?

32 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 33 LOOK & LISTEN ALUMNI TRAILBLAIZERS

Look & Listen faculty publications America’s got talent, and has since AFRICA CINEMA YEAR CROSSROADS: producer David Foster and artists BOOK I LIVE WHERE I LIKE by Koni Benson, Andre Barbra Streisand. Trantraal, and Nathan Trantraal Made to dream The inaugural publication, which is now available, is Awakening which is set graphic novel history series on scholarly articles devoted to the study of South African and other opportunities and talks with African screen studies. It also other international artists are features reports on activities currently underway. on over sixty life narratives, organised by the African student at the South African clarinet and piano to be published defended Crossroads, the only copy of this publication. toward the end of 2014. whose work has been featured that successfully resisted the locally and abroad. Currently Apartheid bulldozers in Cape Town. The series follows CHILDREN OF A BITTER signed to the Universal Music HARVEST In addition, Unisa is to include one apartheid to ongoing struggles for decent shelter today. Hlengiwe moves audiences by Susan Levine of solo piano pieces in The books were drawn by the Trantraal Brothers, political their 2014 piano syllabus to be used South African soprano Hlengiwe Evancho. Jackie Evancho rose to entitled: Children of a bitter and the history was written by Koni Benson, a researcher harvest: child labour in the Cape and educator at the International Labour Research and Winelands challenges readers “Porgy and Bess”. Hlengiwe obtained to think a little deeper about the origins of the products they Cities at the University of Cape Town. They have been published by Isotrope Media. training institutes in the world. Lily

Second Prize at the SAMRO International UCT BIG BAND

singing Scholarship, First prize at the and previous work and contribution Susan is a senior lecturer in the School of African and JAZZ CD Matthew Ehrenreich Claire DeKock O F T Y C A I P S E Tory Maneveldt Africa 2012 and Second Prize at the and in South Africa. Lily obtained R

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was also awarded the Media Jury Masters in Clinical Social Work in conducted as part of her PhD study. Robin Fassie-Kock O Kurt Bowers featuring the UCT

Prize and Audience Prize. Hlengiwe is 1988. She has been practising in the Willy Haubrich / UCT Jazz Voices trained by Jazz Voices trained Murray Buitendag Michael Stack Amy Campbell, Margo DeBruyn, Jason Smythe Mikhaela Kruger, Ndumiso Manana, Siya Charles Sello-Sinto Maroga TALES OF THE METRIC SYSTEM to achieve under the Faculty of Law Marketing Manager, Pauline Alexander received the Vice Chancellors Bronze Medal in 2014 for dedication and apartheid to the staging of the World Cup forty years later. jazz, Latin and South African styles that should appeal The novel covers the changes social and intellectual life. The characters are black, white, for ordering info.” Cape Town and she joined the Faculty of Law in July as the

34 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 35 FACULTY NEWS

In the first Marikana Memorial Lecture at UCT, the Dean of Humanities, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu argued that in the post-apartheid context, “it's important that we pause and think and make sense of it. What does it mean?" Inspired by this lecture, an art installation was created to commemorate how UCT students remembered the massacre of Lonmin mine workers in Rustenburg on 16th August, 2012. The installation was curated by Koni Benson and Agostino Inguscio of the Historical Studies

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Humanities Update Puleng Makhoalibe (pictured second row, right) has been appointed to serve on the Board of the Creative Education Foundation.

2014 has been a great year for “The South African Creativity Faculty of Humanities Information Foundation presents the Excellence and Communication Technology in Creativity Award 2014 to Puleng lectures in business and technology at (ICT) Manager Puleng Makhoalibe. In Makhoalibe for exceptional service October, she received an Excellence to the South African and International Award from the South African board of the Creative Education Creativity Foundation and, more she voluntarily conducts education Foundation was announced in October recently she has been appointed to and technology workshops at the serve on the new board of trustees for Educators Creativity Conference and the Creative Education Foundation, facilitates innovation workshops at the Design Agency: Rothko PR/Design/Marketing based in Massachusetts. corporate creativity conference, which is attended by local and international delegates. The award was presented develop the next generation of creative exceptional service to the South to her at the 2014 African Creativity The University of Cape Town African and International Creativity Conference, which took place in Bela 36 HUMANITIES UPDATE 2014 37