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Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
We should forgive but never forget: Afrikaans was the language of the oppressor — and the language of resistance
In the latest broadcast of Die Stories van Afrikaans on KykNet (Sundays at 20:00), I mentioned that Afrikaans was made ' een vir Azazel' (One for Azazel). I received a number of enquiries about this. The metaphor is borrowed from Etienne Leroux 's book Een vir Azazel (1964), a complex and symbolic novel. The title refers to the Jewish scapegoat, which appears in the Bible, Leviticus 16. Moses asks his brother Aaron to bring him two goat rams. The one is 'for the Lord', and 'one for Azazel'. The ram for the Lord was a sin offering. On the one for Azazel, Aaron had to perform the atonement ritual with the laying on of hands. Thus, the sins of the Israelites were transferred to the scapegoat, which would be set free into the wilderness to Azazel. In Le Roux's book, the character Adam Kadmon Silberstein then questions the truth, and in his search for enlightenment and answers, he experiences an emotional breakdown. This was one of many works that I studied at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) under Prof Jakes Gerwel in the late 1970s. Other books such as Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena (Elsa Joubert), the novels of André P Brink and Karel Schoeman, the dramas of Chris Barnard and Adam Small as well as the poetry of Small, DJ Opperman, Lina Spies, NP van Wyk Louw and Breyten Breytenbach were the reason that many students changed their courses in order to listen to Gerwel. At that stage, UWC's Department of Afrikaans and Dutch was the biggest in South Africa, though some students and politicians demanded that Afrikaans be banned. Many students, including myself, were in matric when Soweto exploded in 1976. Across the country, black students revolted because Afrikaans had been forced upon them. UWC students were torn in two: they struggled with their love of Afrikaans, while the wounds of 1976 were still fresh in their memories. How do you reconcile Poppie Nongena's love for the language she learnt at her mother's knee with the pain she experienced when she begged unsympathetic (Afrikaans) officials for an extension of her pass? How could she make sense of her passion for Afrikaans while her son was rebelling against the 'language of the oppressor'? Language of resistance It was Jakes Gerwel who brought perspective. He encouraged us to continue to speak Afrikaans, to write it, to make poetry, to sing and to resist in it against policies which wanted to make of you a lesser person. The language of the oppressor became the language of resistance. The time to talk had passed. The students proceeded to take action. It was in this time that the slogan ' Hek toe! Hek toe!' was coined ('to the gate'). At the campus gate the students shouted out their rejection of apartheid laws on placards at passersby: the laws which drove people from their homes; the Mixed Marriages Act; the laws of Bantu and Coloured Education which prescribed where you could work and study; the law preventing you from wearing the Springbok blazer; the law which expelled us from the beaches. Afrikaans was the language in which Poppie rebelled against the pass laws. It was the language in which Adam Small expressed the pain of the Cape Flats, where people struggled to survive in the midst of gang violence. Thus, Cape Afrikaans became a language of literature. One for Azazel That the slogan 'hek toe!' was in Afrikaans proved that the students did not have a problem with Afrikaans per se. They actually had a problem with the apartheid laws – in the words of Small, it was ' de lô, de lô , de lô'. Afrikaans could never be the reason for riots; perhaps only as the last straw that broke the camel's back. Yes, to force Afrikaans on black learners was foolish. It was the spark in the powder keg which made Afrikaans the scapegoat, the One for Azazel, on which the blame for apartheid's sins was laid. In the book Ons kom van vêr (Le Cordeur & Carstens), the former UWC lecturer and MK soldier Basil Kivedo spoke of his involvement in the Struggle: 'When the Soweto youth revolted against Afrikaans on 16 June 1976, I protested with them in solidarity in the same Afrikaans that they called the 'language of the oppressor'. Did it make me an oppressor? NO! I carried out my student politics in Afrikaans. I was arrested by the Security Police in Afrikaans. My defence was in Afrikaans. I was tortured in Afrikaans, but I fought back in Afrikaans.' In the same book, the late Danny Titus writes: 'Although Afrikaans was the language of the 'oppressor' who was linked to Afrikaner nationalism, we had to find a way to reflect the other side of Afrikaans; a more comprehensive history of the rich diversity of Afrikaans, but also the neglected history of the black and brown speakers of Afrikaans who still did not obtain their rightful place in the general discourse and media.' And as we began opening up the space for a variety of Afrikaans identities (as Small had taught us), more and more coloured and black people came forward as it dawned on them that you can achieve your dreams in Afrikaans. June 16 By the time I reached UWC, the riots of 1976 had abated, but every year June 16 was commemorated. Hein Willemse, the late Cecil Esau, myself and others involved in the literary association Litsoc published a journal titled Grondstof. The Grondstof poets wrote mostly about the themes of social and political realism, which were recited in the cafeteria (the kêf) on June 16. My first poem, Pik en Graaf, was published in it. It is a poem about poverty-stricken parents trying to earn a future for their children with pick and shovel. Other students launched the drama association Dramasoc under the leadership of Adam Small. On June 16, the group performed the works of Small (eg Kanna) in the kêf, which by then had become the heart of the UWC struggle. The commemoration of June 16 with Afrikaans literature continued. The government had no choice but to declare this day a public holiday. Language of reconciliation It is now four decades later (three of them as a democracy). In spite of Article 9 institutions such as Pansat that could develop Youth Day into a unifying nation-building project, Youth Day today is just another day to braai; just another reason for a long weekend. The youth today know little of the history of the youth who, 49 years ago on this day, propelled South Africa on a new route to democracy, of which we all pick the fruit today. These days, Youth Day is seldom celebrated properly. What can we do to get relief and answers? We can all help to create peace in our violent country. We can begin by forgiving one another, as I did long ago. But do not, however, expect me to forget. Actually, we should never forget. But we may hope. How I hoped that Youth Day was not watered down to a political gathering. How I hoped that the youth would take the lead, like we did 49 years ago. And how I hoped that the President in his speech would have condemned the singing of the song, Kill the boer, Kill the farmer, as a crime against South Africa and its people. And how I hoped that the President would recite Ingrid Jonker's poem, Die Kind (The Child), to the nation, as Nelson Mandela did on 24 May 1994, because on that day Madiba changed the stigma of Afrikaans as language of the oppressor irrevocably to the language of reconciliation. We cannot wish the past away, but we can leave a better South Africa to our children by singing together, working together, building together and celebrating June 16 together. It is time to stop laying our guilt on a scapegoat.
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Innovate Africa: At the edge of opportunity — inside the Samsung Innovation Lab at UWC
In a small corner of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), a bold idea is quietly changing lives. The Samsung Innovation Lab is not your usual tech classroom. It's a space where students from tough backgrounds get access to skills once out of their reach that can help them break into industries that typically ignore them. But this isn't just about coding. Dr Wouter Grove, who heads the centre, explains that the lab focuses just as much on critical thinking, design thinking, confidence and even public speaking. The aim is simple: give students the tools to shape the future, not just survive it. Kieno Kammies sat down with Grove to understand how this lab is unlocking potential — and why it's already making waves far beyond the UWC campus. TimesLIVE
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
UWC Q3 earnings up 98pct on semiconductor rebound, no dividend declared
KUALA LUMPUR: UWC Bhd's net profit for the third quarter ended April 30, 2025, nearly doubled to RM7.96 million from RM4.02 million a year earlier, driven by a strong recovery in the semiconductor market. Revenue for the quarter climbed 45 per cent to RM95.56 million from RM66 million, boosted by improved demand from the semiconductor segment, which remains the company's largest revenue contributor. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the group said the rebound in semiconductor demand helped lift its pre-tax profit to RM9.76 million, up from RM6.53 million a year earlier. Earnings per share for the quarter rose to 72 sen from 36 sen previously. No dividend was declared for the quarter. As at April 30, UWC's cash and bank balances stood at RM26.57 million, down from RM80.99 million at end-July 2024, due to significant capital expenditure and a net operating cash outflow of RM13.33 million. Total liabilities increased to RM92.32 million from RM65.70 million, while borrowings amounted to RM9 million compared to zero previously, reflecting new banker acceptance and revolving credit facilities. Looking ahead, the company said future prospects are underpinned by continued project wins and capacity expansion in front-end semiconductor, electric vehicle and medical technology segments. "The group still maintains an optimistic outlook towards both its business and the industries in which it operates in for the coming years while currently observing signs of recovery," it said. UWC said it is actively undertaking new construction and production capacity expansion projects to cater to growing demand, particularly in artificial intelligence-related semiconductor manufacturing and next-generation life science technologies. "With a robust pipeline of new building projects and focus on capital expenditure, the group will be well positioned for substantial growth and long-term value creation of the front-end semiconductor business," it added. It also expects growth in the life science and medical technology segment to remain strong, supported by ongoing customer wins and increased demand for DNA analysers, virus extraction machines and precision mobility products.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Elon Musk's Starlink: a threat to South Africa's astronomical research?
One of the 64 MeerKAT Telescopes observing our skies. Image: UWC The prospect of Elon Musk's satellite internet venture, Starlink, expanding its operations to South Africa has generated considerable excitement, particularly for its potential to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. However, experts in the field of astronomy are raising concerns about the unintended consequences of satellite constellations on South Africa's world-class radio telescopes. University of the Western Cape (UWC) Professor Lerothodi Leeuw recently spoke to Cape Talk radio about the disruptive impact that Starlink and similar satellite networks could have on the country's premier astronomical facilities. Among those at risk are the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), a state-of-the-art observatory in Sutherland, and the ambitious Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, designed to unlock new insights into the universe. Prof Leeuw likened the interference caused by satellites to a form of 'photo-bombing,' where artificial radio signals intrude upon critical observations. He emphasised that this issue is not new, but Starlink's growing prominence has renewed discussions around mitigating the effects of space-based transmissions. South Africa has invested significantly in its radio telescope infrastructure, and authorities have implemented strict regulations to minimise interference from terrestrial sources. The SKA site, for instance, is located within a designated radio-quiet zone. However, Prof Leeuw pointed out that these safeguards do not extend beyond national borders, leaving space-based satellites outside the scope of local regulations. Professor Lerothodi Leeuw Image: UWC 'We don't control low Earth-orbiting satellites,' he noted, highlighting that Starlink is not the only operator deploying satellite constellations. Other ventures, such as OneWeb and Project Kuiper, also contribute to the challenge. Despite the difficulties, Prof Leeuw remains optimistic that measures can be put in place to mitigate the problem. He suggested that temporarily disabling satellites while they pass over sensitive areas could help prevent interference. 'There is potential to mitigate the problem by turning off satellites for just a few seconds as they cross the region, without affecting transmission elsewhere,' he explained. Some scientists have already approached Starlink to explore solutions, leading to adjustments in satellite design. These include adding optical reflectors to redirect light away from telescopes or modifying the satellites' surfaces to reduce glare. However, altering orbital paths to completely avoid interference remains impractical. Prof Leeuw underscored the significance of this issue within the scientific community. He revealed that a conference dedicated entirely to tackling satellite interference was held last year, although discussions on radio astronomy only occupied half a day, showing that the subject, while growing in importance, remains under-addressed. As satellite constellations continue to proliferate, experts in astronomy are urging operators to take more proactive steps to minimise their footprint on scientific exploration. The balance between global connectivity and preserving the integrity of astronomical research is a delicate one, and finding solutions will require coordinated effort between governments, scientists and satellite providers alike.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
UWC study exposes bullying of refugee children in Cape Town schools
UWC study exposes bullying of refugee children in schools. Image: Freepik Congolese refugee children attending schools in Maitland and Parow face relentless bullying rooted in xenophobia, racism, and cultural differences, according to a recent study by UWC Master's student, Adelina Nakatya Ntagerwa. For Ntagerwa's MA thesis, she interviewed 20 parents of adolescent refugees from the war-torn Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which revealed harrowing accounts of verbal abuse, physical violence, and systemic neglect at these schools. The interviews took place amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and a protest by mostly Congolese refugees who were demanding to be repatriated to Canada, Australia and other Western countries. Many Congolese families fled the DRC's Kivu region, an area devastated by decades of conflict, only to find their children subjected to bullying in South African classrooms, according to Ntagerwa. In her interviews, parents reported that their children were frequently called derogatory names like "makwerekwere" and "black boy", highlighting the racial and xenophobic undertones of the abuse. One mother, Sakina, shared how her son was ostracised and physically assaulted by peers who mocked his accent and nationality. "They push him, swear at him, and tell him he doesn't belong here," she said. Another parent, Adelaide, recounted how her daughter was called "swart" (black in Afrikaans), a term hurled with such malice that the girl begged to change schools. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading UWC's Varsity Shield rugby captain Romauld Nsombamanya, 24, who was born in the DRC, although not from Kivu, echoed Ntagerwa's findings, describing his primary school experience as 'quite hard, quite intense'. 'I've been in South Africa since 2011, but I only started school in 2013 at Pinedene Primary in Ravensmead. My primary school experience, I would say, was quite hard because I had numerous (varied) experiences. I was the new kid in school, just trying to fit in. South African kids were very reluctant to accept me,' said Nsombamanya. While the welcome he got at the school was not the greatest, one teacher, Ms McKay, showed great kindness to bridge the language barrier. 'She would take her own time to sit with me for two hours to make English cue cards to learn certain words. It just so happens that she was my English teacher, and it really helped me to develop,' says Nsombamanya. One instance of bullying he encountered at the school was with one of his fellow pupils who teased him about his bad stutter. 'I ignored him until he started spitting in my face. I walked away, and then he came and slapped me from the back, and then I retaliated, which caused a fight. A prefect then came and held me for the other kid to beat me,' said Nsombamanya. He ended up being punished by the principal despite explaining the violent provocation he had endured. The bullying continued at Florida High School, where most of the pupils from his primary school were enrolled. At high school, Nsombamanya became a loner, but this changed when his older cousin from the DRC joined him, and he learned to assert himself. In her research, Ntagerwa found that bullying often escalates into physical violence. A participant called Rodrigue shared that his daughter was taunted for her long name and Congolese heritage, while Imani's son was beaten by classmates who told him to "go back to Congo" after he outperformed them academically. In one tragic case, a child, overwhelmed by relentless bullying over his old clothing, committed suicide. His mother, Mateso, discovered too late that he had left a note detailing his torment. Teachers and school staff are sometimes complicit. A Xhosa-speaking teacher refused to translate lessons for a Congolese student, telling her: "This is not your country; go find someone who speaks your language." Another parent, Shabani, described how a school administrator publicly shamed his daughter for unpaid fees, humiliating her in front of classmates. Beyond peer bullying, systemic issues exacerbate the trauma. Refugee children are often placed in grades below their age level, making them targets for ridicule. Christiane's daughter, once in Grade 10 in the DRC, was demoted to Grade 8 in Cape Town and mocked as an "eagle" for her height and age. Extracurricular activities, a potential refuge, are also marred by discrimination. Several parents reported their children being barred from sports competitions or cultural events due to their refugee status. "They used my son to win athletics matches but disqualified him from finals because of his Congolese birth certificate," Imani said. Despite the hostility, some children find solace in friendships with peers who share similar backgrounds or empathetic teachers. Ayale's daughter thrived after a teacher provided extra books to improve her English, while Riziki's son found protection in a group of friends who stood up to his bullies. Parents who were interviewed urged schools to enforce anti-bullying policies consistently and provide language support for refugee students. They also demanded sensitivity training for educators to address xenophobia and racism. The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive policies to protect refugee children, whose resilience is tested daily. As one parent poignantly noted, "We came here for safety, but our children are fighting another war - this time in the classroom." Cape Times
