TUT senior students set to return to their respective residences

 By: Anelisa Sibanda

Email: Anelisag98@gmail.com

Twitter: @Anelisa_Sibanda

Tshwane University of Technology students are set to return to campus after the university was closed in March this year due to COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Most students have been eager to return to their residences as they claim to study better there than being at home. Only seniors and first-year students are to return from the 26th of this month.

Zinhle Sibanyoni (22), a final-year journalism student at TUT said social distancing will be hard for some students since it is something new. “Staying at home makes me not see a brighter future for myself, I can work a lot better when I am my residence, there is peace there,” said Sibanyoni.

Nomathamsanqa Sikhana (24), a second-year Information Technology at TUT said that everyone is excited to be going back to their respective residences because they will all have their freedom. “Adhering to the regulations will not be easy for some students and going back to our residence is quite alarming, one may even get infected there,” said Sikhana.

19-year old Mamsi Nkosi who is also a TUT student doing her first year in journalism said she feels relieved to be returning to her residence after 5 months of staying at home because that way she will be able to study.

 “Maintaining social distance and all will be very difficult, students will be too excited and visiting their friends in other rooms and that will increase the chances of spreading the  virus among students

 

South Africa moves to level 2 of lockdown

By: Anelisa Sibanda

Email: Anelisag98@gmail.com

Twitter: @Anelisa_Sibanda

South Africa has been under lockdown for over six months now. The president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced different levels of the lockdown to help curb the virus. Most citizens have been abiding by the rules whereas others have not been, things slightly changed when the nation recently moved to level 2 of the lockdown on the 18th of August 2020.

The president announced that during level 2 the economy will be opened as well as many facilities and that has made a lot of people relax, and think that the virus is gone when in fact it is still there although the recovery rate is high.

Sandile Shongwe (37) said he is happy that the economy has been opened and that way people will be able to go back to work and support their families. “Moving down to level 2 does not mean that the virus has also downgraded, we need to continue protecting ourselves against the deadly virus’” said Shongwe.

Soshanguve resident, Nelisiwe Gumede (28) said that people are acting as if the virus is gone when it’s still there. “Most people do not see the need to wear their face masks when in public space unless when entering shops and such will only increase chances of people being infected,” said Gumede. Gumede also added that people now gather and chill and do not practice social distancing as advised by the government.

13-year old Kgothatso Medupe said that he does not leave the house unless he is going to school. “My parents are very concerned about my health, I am not allowed to go play with the other kids outside as they fear that I might get infected and infect everyone at home,” said Medupe. Medupe also added that he is fine with staying indoors and does not want to risk his family’s health.

Gender-based violence; a pandemic in South Africa

By: Anelisa Sibanda

Email: Anelisag98@gmail.com

Twitter:@ Anelisa_Sibanda

Women’s Day is celebrated annually on the 9th of August. This day is to honour and celebrate women in the country, however, women in South Africa feel as if there is no need to celebrate this day as their rights are not considered.

 Women die every day in the hands of men in South Africa. Statistics show that South Africa has the highest number of gender-based violence in the world, including rape and domestic violence. 

 Sbongakonke Dlamini (30) tells on how scary it is to be a woman in this country. “We live in fear, we are afraid that we might be the next victims of gbv,” said Dlamini. Dlaminiadded that the government should do something to ensure that all women are safe in the country.

 Nokubonga Ndlala(23) a final year Education student at TUT said she does not feel at ease walking around, let alone be in a taxi that is full of men as she does not know what might happen to her. 

 “The government isn’t doing enough to help stop gbv, not enough measuresare taken to deal with the perpetrators, they are not given enough punishment,” said Ndlala. 

Ndlala also added that communities should learn the whistle challenge which is used to alert community members of any type of crime taking place in the community and help catch the perpetrator Walking to the shop is a nightmare as they might be the next, they always live in fear. 

 

“I am even afraid to leave for school next year, every day on the news there is a woman who has been murdered,” said 20-year-old Nkosinomusa Ngwenya. Ngwenya also said she has stopped watching the news as they more fear and panic and that she is living her life like it is the last day of being alive.