EDITORIAL: Meet the new EDITOR

STUDENTS flock to voting stations

MONEY Mismanagment

ON CAMPUS NEWSPAPER | September 2012 | Edition 2

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More than just rags to riches

Continued to page 5>>

BUSISIWE Bianca Titi (23) is a BA Media, Communication and Culture (BA MCC) graduate. She is currently pursuing her Xhosa Honours at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and works as a producer for oneof SABC’s radio stations,Umhlobo Wenene FM, and hopes to obtain her Doctorate in Literature by the age of 30.

What makes Titi’s achievement so special is that while she was attending Loyiso High School, in Zwide, she had to endure very harsh living conditions and had to break limitations imposed onto her by economic boundaries.

“Life was very difficult back then; sometimes we had to go to bed with empty stomachs but that has taught me to appreciate everything that I have today,” she says. Tell us a bit about you childhood…I had a very difficult childhood. My siblings and I were raised by our grandfather. He was both a mother and father to us. With only pension money as a source of income, he did what he could and that is why I am where I am today. I feel that there is no way I would have ‘made it’ had it not been for him and his wisdom.

Take us back to your first year in university…Yho, those are the days that I will never forget! Getting into university on its own was a struggle. Even though I had obtained good results for my matric, getting the funds together became a mission. Something as trivial as taxi money can be a big problem - travelling back and forth was no joke. There were days where I just felt like I couldn’t go on but the people in my life had so much belief in me that I was compelled to keep keeping on. Thanks to my high school teachers and Ubuntu Education Fund for making my dreams come true! What has been your biggest challenge thus far?At first, coming from a disadvantaged background was a disadvantage in its own. I struggled with the work. There were times where I’d sit through a lecture and come out with no clue of what just happened [laughs], English Literature was the worst. I had to work twice as hard and because I have never been afraid of hard work, I had no problem with it. I took full advantage of the tutorials and consultations offered and in no time, my lecturers knew me by name and my marks improved.

And what has been your greatest achievement?My greatest is yet to come. At the moment I must say finishing off my degree in record time brought me utter bliss. I cannot even put into words the way that I felt on graduation day.

NMMU GREEN PROJECTSTHE dream of Port Elizabeth being a “green” city may come true after all. Students from the Advanced Mechatronic Technology Centre (AMTC) and the Volkswagen Group/DAAD Chair at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) have taken this vision further by initiating a Solar Car Project at the university.

“The Solar Car Project started as a concept idea in December 2011, when my lecturer, Clive Hands, called myself and two other students in for a meeting and from the get-go we were all very enthusiastic about the idea,” says Matthew Fish, Head of Mechanics on the project. The project will involve the design and manufacturing of a solar powered car that will allow students to conduct research into the renewable energy market and encourage others across the country to follow suit. One of the objectives of the project is to compete in the biennial South African Solar Challenge to be held in Pretoria in September.

“Teams from around South Africa and some international too, design and build solar racing cars for the 4500km race, which starts in Pretoria and makes a loop around Cape Town then through Port Elizabeth and back up to Pretoria,” says Fish.

The 2012 event will be the third race of its kind to be held on local soil and has previously been dominated by Japanese teams.

While building the solar car, students from the Engineering Department at NMMU will not only be exposed to renewable energy and how it may be applied to various situations, but also have a platform from which to conduct future research and work on projects that will bring renewable energy into the homes of citizens around Port Elizabeth, and eventually the rest of the country. “The Solar Car Project is made up of combination of mechanical and electrical engineering students, as well as some mechatronic exchange students from Germany,” says Fish.Students working on the solar car are currently running on schedule, having built a test chassis as well as testing critical components. “At this stage we are busy manufacturing our race vehicle, we have previously built a test chassis for testing of critical components and suspension geometry, all to ensure that when we build the carbon fibre race vehicle everything will be of a highly competitive standard”, says Fish.

Students at the School of Engineering at NMMU seem to have also caught the ‘green’ bug in a big way, having begun with the installation of a harvesting system and a solar tracker at university’s North Campus.

Three mechanical engineering students commissioned the system last year under the leadership and guidance of senior lecturer Dr Russell Phillips. “The energy harvested from the system is used to power equipment in the Siemen’s laboratory close to the source. We have high hopes to expand the system and power other laboratories in the near future,” Phillips said.The group has since started accomplishing this objective through the creation and implementation of a solar tracker. The project involves the design of a system which will allow for the optimization of power yielded from solar panels. “We have decided to design a one-axis solar tracker which moves from East to West during the day, depending entirely on the position of the sun,” said Leeroyd Sophola, a student who is working on the project.The tracker is controlled by four 230W solar panels which are connected in series adding up to 920W together. Light sensors are used to detect the position of the sun and therefore move the panels accordingly, facing the sun at a right-angle.

“By having our solar panels being able to follow the sun as it moves from East to West during the day,”said Sophola, “there

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will be an increase of up to 50% in the amount of power we produce from the solar panels and maybe slightly more during summer.”

The project was driven by the high-marked prices of conventional solar trackers available in South Africa. The system will run entirely on green energy due to the existing harvesting system on the roof of the E-block on North Campus and will therefore be more cost-effective than what is currently available on the market. “We try to design everything with a “green initiative” so that we get the best performance with minimal energy being used,” said Sophola. Furthermore, all products used were locally based and therefore showcase that Port Elizabeth is truly a leader in the field of “green” engineering.Dr Phillips truly believes in the benefits of this project.

“Apart from producing energy, the system is a great initiative because it makes students aware of green energy as they see it in action. It also benefits post-graduate students due to the fact that they can use the system as a platform for research,” said Phillips.

The project is currently being funded by the Automotive Industry Development’s TEI Human Resource Programme and resources from the Advanced Mechatronic Technology Centre, the VW South Africa Chair and the Renewable Research Group have helped this innovative project come to fruition.

But it’s not just the students who are taking a stand when it comes to renewable energy at NMMU. The university’s staff has also started to recognise the benefits of renewable energy and have become involved in an innovative greening project known as “freewheeling”. The project will see ten staff members commute between North and South campus on battery operated bicycles while their cars remain in a parking facility equipped with solar panels.Power from the solar panels will be fed into the university’s electricity grid, helping power more lecture halls and residences, in addition to those coordinated by the Centre for Energy Research at the university’s South Campus. With the help of Innowind, a company that has agreed to supply the solar panels to the NMMU free of charge, the university hopes that “freewheeling” will be a success and will therefore be implemented on a larger scale around the university.

If NMMU continues in this vein of implementing innovative ‘green’ initiatives and new ways of saving energy, the university’s Vision 2020 dream of being a leader when it comes to renewable energy solutions may become a reality sooner than expected.

By: Cindy Pierce

NMMU MANCO's Dr Gary Paul, the VC Prof Derrick Swartz & Dr Piet Naude visit the Solar Car team

Busisiwe Bianca Titi

02 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

WHEN someone tells you that you will be the editor of a publication there is a rush of adrenaline – what will my team write about? Who will we interview? Will we expose some devious actions that need attention? Just a few of the things that sprung to mind when I got the news…

Sitting with an eclectic group in front of me, I knew that the content of this publication would be as varied as the students that attend lectures at this university. I gave them the freedom to approach topics that they would like to see in a publication like this. In your hands now are the eponymous articles from the 2012 team at NMMYou. We are very pleased to be presenting these to you, our readers, classmates and friends.

I spent most of our break on tour with musicians – creating content for their tour and managing parts of the shows that needed attention. There was a little buzz surrounding the shows that involved Mix N Blend, Hyphen and Das Kapital – those names may mean absolutely nothing to you or they may carry the nostalgia of an epic night out. For those of you who have no connection to them – I apologise profusely. For the select few that have memories attached to these names and feel that rush of nostalgia – smells and sounds fill your memory as a smile flashes across your face – the tour was everything that you could hope for! Big tunes, bigger personalities and the biggest monsoon made it live up to its name: Tourmageddon.

There are articles on the importance of suiting up, going green, friendship after high school, sports development in the Eastern Cape, beating exam stress, money mismanagement, shuttle service woes and even something to help the transition from university to the workplace. Read through them and when you reach the back cover give us some feedback – you’ll find us online at our blog or Facebook and there are soapboxes to have your say. We look forward to interacting with you, our readers, so don’t be shy!

NMMYou functions as a publication for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University students but we won’t shy away from covering any news that is pertinent to our interests or that we think you should be able to read about. This after all a publication designed to be all about you!

Warm regards,Jono

IT is not unusual to see long queues of students standing outside many of the computer laboratories on campus, waiting to use the computers. At times students have to wait up to half an hour in a queue to use the computers. At the beginning of the year South Campus was greeted by a truck load of new computers at the Aberdare labs, but sadly there is still a short of computer facilities on many of the NMMU campuses. With a growing number of students enrolling at NMMU not enough computers are being provided for their needs.

Students from the Second Avenue campus complain that there are not enough computer labs provided for students in order to do their assignments. The few labs that are available are also at times used by the lecturers to teach computer courses. It is not unusual to be in any of the Second Avenue computer labs and be asked to vacate the lab because there is a class. As a result of this some students from Second Avenue campus go all the way to the computer laboratories on North and South Campus to do research and to type their assignments. However, the matter is being looked into by the university and they have promised to improve computer facilities on that campus over the next few years.

Having no lab assistants in many of the Second Avenue campus laboratories does not make things easier for many students who require assistance with things such as printing as well as general assistance, “There is absolutely no assistance available to us, we are forced to ask for assistance from our peers, who too are not always able to assist” said Economics student Siya Kashe.

“I gave up on the computer labs on Second Avenue ages ago and bought myself a laptop; I just couldn’t stand being kicked out from one lab to another. It really is difficult to do work in those labs sometimes, as there is no one to control the noise” says Fashion Design student Bridgette Lize.

Students who need a colour printer are left with no choice but to go to the computer laboratories on North and South Campus to do their colour printing. Printing services across

Photo: Jono

Letter to International Students

BEING a student is tough - never mind having to learn another culture while you are in another country. Being a foreign student, whether exchange or international, is not be easy but depending on how you look at it can be a life changing experience.

Upon arriving in South Africa, it is without a doubt that you will observe the diversity of cultures that exist. The students you will live with or attend lectures with are just the beginning of the diversity you will be able to enjoy. While many of these cultures are showcased by local restaurants, cafes, student groups or dance teams around the city - there are also many festivals that take place in Port Elizabeth. These festivals give you the opportunity to understand more about some of the different cultures that exist. For instance, usually you can try some traditional food, listen to different styles of music or watch some cultural dancing.

At NMMU there is a diversity week festival that happens on-campus. The concept of the festival is to display and present some of the great cultural diversity in art, food, music and dance that exists within the university - students from different countries come together and market their countries in an attempt to teach others about it. The feature of the festival is the parade that sets things in motion.

Some people therefore become tempted to stay on here, in South Africa. Rarely does an international student come here

International Students enjoying the sun on South Campus Photo: Jono

Computer Labs

all campuses in recent months have become somewhat of a problem for some students.

In the last few months ICT services have been streamlining the process of acquiring the printing services from Xerox on campus. In the past students had two printing quotas available to them; one for printing at the computer laboratories and another for printing and photocopying at the library.

Students could in the past load any amount of money from 20 cents upwards for their printing at the self-service kiosk at the libraries. However since the acquisition of printing services by ICT, students are forced to purchase a minimum of R20 which can only be loaded at the cashiers.

BA Student Amanda Nako says, “I feel this is unfair, because sometimes I only need to print two pages which cost 64 cents all together, but I have to load R20”. While this new system allows for a more streamlined printing service, some students feel it causes an inconvenience because sometimes one’s printing quota can run out while busy with your copying, causing for the student to go all the way to the cashiers in the administration building to load money.

Students feel there should be cashiers at the libraries and main computer labs in order to pay for printing, rather than having to go all the way to the cashiers at the administration building all the time.

By: Lwazi Mpofu

with the intention of relocating forever. By the end of four years, it is seriously more than a second home however. If you love it enough some may decide it is worth settling here and going home for visits. This country does offer various opportunities which can be tempting and worth the shift.

Not everyone will have a sweet experience and some may hate their whole experience here. They just can’t wait to finish their university term and go home. The main reason they came here is the undeniable fact that the standard of education is high but they want to go home and face whatever challenges their absence might have caused. They have the knowledge of what this country offers but the whole idea of a life here is just impossible - living away from home does change your perspectives on life and your goals.

While you are in the country; enjoy yourself! By Sibulele Mboyi

Editorial

STUDENTS from all of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) will flock to voting stations on 19 September to vote for a new Student Representative Council for the coming year, but only two parties will be on the ballot. The Azanian Students’ Convention (AZASCO) has opted not to run for office this year, wanting rather to focus on stabilising their internal structures. Students will therefore have to choose from the two dominant political parties on campus, the reigning Democratic Alliance Students’ Organisation (DASO) and the South African Students’ Congress (SASCO), which lost control of the SRC after a record number of terms last year.

The pressure is on to ensure that sufficient students vote in the elections to give the new SRC legitimacy. Should less than 20 per cent of the study body vote, the Council of the NMMU will need to take a decision regarding the eligibility of the SRC to govern.Honours in media Studies student Ziphozakhe Hlobo will be at the voting stations. “I am voting this time because honestly, with this new SRC, I have seen changes. I mean the free ride to and from town is amazing!” she says.

Others are not as sure. First year diploma in Journalism student Nobesuthu Hejana says, “I’m not sure [if I will vote] because both parties are promising a lot, and since I’m a first year students I don’t know anything about Sasco... if only they could make sure that there will be a radio station for media students then I might vote.”

Luvuyo Nomvete emphasises the importance of voting. The Honours in Corporate Communication student says, “It’s very important to get the right people, with positive ideas and constructive attitudes, into positions of leadership. It’s not about which party will win. It’s about who are the best individuals to serve these roles.”

The SRC is the body which ensures student representation at the highest levels of the university structure, including at Council and Senate and in each individual Faculty. According to the constitution of the SRC, the SRC is committed to building a strong, dedicated student leadership, uniting all NMMU students under the SRC banner, maintaining the SRC’s special position and status in governing student affairs and upholding the best interest of students at all times.

The objectives of the SRC include enabling the members of the Student Body to contribute to the promotion of their interests in the academic, social, cultural and sporting spheres, the transformation of the NMMU; and the achievement of the mission statement of the University in accordance with the values of the University. The SRC is, therefore, mandated to be the voice of the students of NMMU in all matters.

By: Dr Bianca Wright

Students flock to voting stations for SRC elections

03 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

The SRC is the body which ensures student representation at the highest levels of the university structure.

Feature: Amy Scheepers

By: Jono

In focusAMY Scheepers’ work should by now be familiar to you - type her name into Google and you’ll see the results speak for themselves. Her work is probably best described as an immersion into dreams and beauty. With a softness that is akin to the measure of control that is clearly evident; Amy’s images are immaculate. We had the opportunity to ask her a few questions, some silly and some serious, this is what she had to say…

1. Who has the most street cred out of all the shoots you’ve done?Ha! I am probably the worst person ever to judge street cred, but I’d have to say Tessa Rose Vardy.

2. Did studying photography make a difference?For me, yes. Studying gave me the time as well as the platform I needed to play around and find my style, as well as taught me all the basics. It also gave me access to equipment I would have struggled to access if I hadn’t studied. I do, however, strongly believe that you don’t need to study photography to be good at it, as some of my favorite photographers never studied. Basically, I feel that all the studying in the world won’t mean anything if you don’t shoot all the time, have passion, and have taste.

3. How long have you been doing this for?I’ve been shooting for about 3 years but only in the past year have I started producing work I’m really proud of, freelancing and doing work for some rad clients. The term “professional photographer” is used very casually these days and I don’t like to throw it around as I definitely believe I’m still earning this title.

4. Can you draw? What’s the biggest thing you’ve drawn?Yeah I can! I love drawing and do it personally as well as for my shoots. Do you mean biggest size? Probably not too big, I’d say about an A3.

5. What has been your favourite accomplishment?My best was definitely being chosen to exhibit at Design Indaba as one of the emerging creatives, and only photographer, this year! Also, being contacted by household brands like Edgars and Ackermans has been pretty cool.

6. What has been your favourite photograph?Any photo taken by Tim Walker honestly, but the first that comes to mind is the iconic image of Lily Cole standing on a spiral staircase. That man is a genius.

7. What was the first photo you had published?Online, I have no idea! I know that’s bad but it was ages ago and I was silly back then and didn’t keep track of these things. In print, a had some work I did for Edgars published in their Edgars Club magazine earlier this year.

8. You can never have enough...(Fill in a word/phrase)?Tea.

9. Do you have a hobby?Many! Reading, blogging, online shopping, attempting to bake, attempting to skate (longboard), and attempting a ceramics range.

10. Favourite meal when you’re on the road?I eat more than the average person when on the road, and my favourite is probably a good old Nanaga pie and/or jellybabies.

11. What is your ritual while editing?Good music, copious amounts of tea, and plenty of sleep behind me and I’m good to go

12. Three things you NEED in a zombie apocalypse?A camera obviously! Fake zombie blood all over me, because everyone knows they won’t wanna eat you then. And probably a drivers licence.

13. Which other artforms do you enjoy viewing, creating or collecting?I mentioned earlier that I’m attempting a ceramics range, I love sculpting and working with my hands. I also love clothing and have recently teamed up with a friend and her vintage online fashion store.I’ve also just recently started to collect local art, so far some prints and illustrations, a sootcookie sculpture, and a Calavera skull engraved into wood make up my collection. I guess I enjoy a pretty wide variety of artforms.

14. What’s the last great book that you read?A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow - the third book/season of the Game of thrones series.

15. Which international destination would you most like to visit? Paris. I’m probably a little biased as it’s the only place I’ve actually been outside of South Africa, but I’m positive it’s the only place I really want to be! But there is also Amsterdam and Morocco, both of which I have to travel to.

16. What is in your camera bag right now?Uh, not much actually (whoops). I think there might be some lens cleaning equipment.

Keep up with Amy online at: http://www.amyscheepers.com http://amyscheepers.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AmyScheepersPhotography

More than just rags to riches

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Continued from page 1 >>The NMMyou PLAYLIST

05 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

It was such a pity that utamkhulu (grandfather) couldn’t be there as he had passed on a couple of weeks prior the ceremony but I believe that in spirit, he is with me every step of the way.

How do you explain all this luck? I believe that by the time you graduated, you had already secured a job at Umhlobo Wenene?It’s not luck; I prefer to call it blessings! I got into Umhlobo Wenene because I have talent and passion for radio. I first started out as a presenter for a children’s show every Saturday and from there, God just did his thing. Everything just fell into place hence I feel it was never my doing but His divine intervention.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?As a born-again Christian, I believe that in 5 years time, I will be where God wants and needs me to be. Career wise, I feel that I belong in the media industry and I absolutely cannot see myself doing anything else. I would love to start my own company one day, focusing on PR and communications. I would love to offer eager youngsters, who have the same drive and zest for life as me, an opportunity to spread their wings and broaden their horizons.

Any advice you would like to give to people who have a similar background?Firstly, I would like to urge people to lose the mentality of believing that, “Good things come to those who wait”. This is the 21st century, good things happen to those who make them happen, qha qwaba! (Finish and klaar!)Not being born with a silver spoon in your mouth is not a curse. People should stop feeling sorry for themselves because of the misfortunes they are born into and start working towards changing that. Not only for themselves but for the future generations too. What is the best advice you have ever received?A very good friend of mine with a very similar background once told me, “You cannot alter the cards you were dealt with, but how you play and the outcome of the game depends entirely on you!

What is your motto in life?If you are not going to give it your all, then don’t do it at all.

Want to win a copy of Mix N Blend’s album? Hit us up on the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/nmmyouofficial and let

us know what you thought of this issue. Be sure to mention that you want to win. Make sure.

2 Chainz feat. Drake – No Lie

A$AP Rocky – Goldie

Alt-J – Breezeblocks

Delilah – Inside My Love

Florence + The Machine – Breath

Of Life

Iggy Azealia feat. T.I. – Murda Bizness

Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2

Chainz – Mercy

Mix N Blend feat. Crosby - Joy

Plan B – ill Manors

Rob Zombie – Lords Of Salem (Das Kapital Remix)

Selah Sue – This World

The Plastics – Stereo Kids

The XX – Chained

XXYYXX – About You

Yesterday’s Pupil – Goodbye

Zebra & Giraffe – The Wisest Ones

The Gourmet PizzaRevolution

THE humble pizza – made from just flour, water, yeast and salt. This popular Italian dish has become a favorite all over the world. Everyone loves pizza, and what’s not to love? It’s so simple, it can be topped with anything you desire, and you eat it with your hands. In my books, that’s the perfect meal. So where did this perfect meal come from? According to the history books, pizza first originated in Southern Italy around the city of Naples. This “pizza” was nothing like the pizzas we see today, however its resemblance is obvious.

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AztecDeli-ght

AS I walked down Parliament Street and smelled, what now is quite a familiar smell, for the very first time- I couldn’t wrap my head around the notion that something so resilient was tucked away in that part of our windy city. Behind a bar are tables and umbrellas, brightly coloured mural sprawls the length of the kitchen and smiles flash under the happy eyes that greet you. This is Aztec Caterers, the independently owned and operated kitchen that has become my favourite haunt for food.

Khanya and Loyiso, a mother/daughter team, run the little kitchen as efficiently as a military aircraft carrier. Neatly prepared dishes and home-made lemonade pour from the little door in the wall like a vision of paradise. The juxtaposition of the concrete and graffiti with the wholesome smells and positive attitudes is enough to reinforce my own idea that Parliament Street is not all that bad.

The kitchen was opened in September 2011 and today stands proudly in its corner – a burgeoning success. On the menu, among the delicacies you’ll find pumpkin fritters, vegetarian (not soy) burgers, coriander and coconut chicken curry, Udon noodles, chicken wings and my poison – potato wedges. All of these are made in the kitchen while you wait, sipping on some freshly prepared lemonade or an organic smoothie perhaps while the speakers ooze ambience. The food is tasty beyond belief and is always a healthy portion – you definitely won’t leave hungry.

The kitchen operates as a hub for the students from Russell Road College that seek out a warm, hearty meal while the tastemakers congregate under the umbrellas debating the merits of having a spot to slip into that is as much a secret as an alley in a spy film. You will see people at Aztec that will make you believe that you have never been out of your house at all. Unfamiliar faces, ‘trendoids’ and ‘hipsters’ move in and out of the space on the breeze that lists lazily around the seats.

The Aztec ladies have not rested on their laurels and merely opened a venue for people to come to, every now and then they host a ‘Sunday Cookout’- an event held at a venue other than the kitchen that is basically a block party with enough food to feed everyone that has bought a ticket. There are usually live acts or DJ’s to manage the vibe and it’s always been good. The next cookout is on September 29th, at Demi’s Train and tickets are being pre-sold at Aztec Caterers.

I’ve been down to visit Aztec a few times to make sure that what I have experienced wasn’t a fluke. Sure enough every time and regardless of the dish that I have chosen to relish, the service and the food is supreme. I haven’t yet encountered the three ladies without a smile pasted across their cheeks. It’s this attitude that makes me want to keep coming back- it’s the reason that I’m telling you about it. Go down Parliament Street and find the little chalkboard sign, have the experience I’ve relayed here. By: Jono

According to Roman Literature the pizza was “a flat and round piece of dough that was dressed with a combination of olive oil, herbs and flour with cheese and honey”. [Jones; 2012] This was then cooked on a hot stone, much like the pizza stones we use today. Pizza has grown and developed drastically compared the back then, but the original idea was sparked in the 3rd Century by these Italians.

In recent years there has been a growing trend in how pizzas are made; moving away from the more traditional pizza to the much desired gourmet pizza, which is sophisticated, modern and chic. Although take-away pizza, like Debonairs, St. Elmo’s and so on, is still hugely popular, an emphasis on gourmet toppings, thin-bases and a rustic feel has intensified.

Take the ever-popular Vovo Telo in Richmond Hill – this Artisan bakery and café is known for their thin-crusted, rustic pizzas that are absolutely delicious. With an array of gourmet toppings such as mozzarella, basil and sundried tomato, or roast chicken, avo, feta and rocket, Vovo Telo has opened our minds regarding this new gourmet pizza trend, and is now the hotspot eatery in PE.

Charlie Superstar, in Stanley Street, is another hotspot restaurant which specialises in gourmet pizzas. Their menu is a lot more

extensive compared to that of Vovo Telo; boasting a wide range of delicious toppings which attracts foodies from all over the city.Due to my love of gourmet food, and pizzas in particular, I attempted to make my very own homemade pizzas– now there was no comparison between mine and the delicious pizza’s at Vovo Telo, but I thought I did a pretty good job. Here is the recipe– a flop-proof, step-by-step method to make tasty gourmet pissaladière (thin crust pizzas).

For the dough:• 400g white bread flour • 100g fine ground semolina flour (or you could use more white bread flour)• ½ tbsp fine salt• 17g sachet of dried yeast• ½ tbsp castor sugar• 325ml lukewarm water– Pile the flours and the salt on to a clean surface and make a 9 cm hole in the centre. - Add your yeast and sugar to the lukewarm water, mix it with a fork and leave it for a few minutes to allow the yeast to activate. Then pour the mixture into the well. - Using a fork, slowly bring in the flour from the inner edge of the hole and mix into the water. Continue to mix in a circular motion, bringing in all the flour.

- When the dough becomes too hard to mix with your fork, flour your hands and pat the dough into a ball. - Knead it by rolling it backwards and forwards, stretching the dough continuously for 10 minutes until you have a smooth, soft dough.- Flour the top of your dough, cover it with cling film and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.- Divide the dough into as many balls as you want to make pizzas.- Preheat your oven to 230°C.- Roll out the dough to form pizza bases and start assembling your pizzas.

After spreading each of my pizzas with a tomato and basil sauce, I decided to make three different toppings:1. Sundried tomato, mozzarella, pesto and basil (placing the basil on after the pizza was cooked)2. Chicken, pepperdew, avo, feta and rocket.3. Ham, mushroom, onion and cheddar.- When the oven is ready, place the pizzas on the oven shelf towards the bottom of the oven. - Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the pizzas are golden and crispy. And voilà, your very own homemade thin-crusted gourmet pizza.

By: Leigh Kooiker

What every gentleman needs to know

Photo: Jono

BRITISH society is to thank for what we nowadays call a suit. Today’s styles emerged during the early 19th century; a revolution lead to a change in the elaborate and over the top garments that were considered formal attire back before the new century. Simpler garments were later introduced in the British Regency period. These garments then later became the staple outfit for any man, which then started resembling the rigid formality of the styles worn throughout the Victorian era. Much later and after much deliberation (and a few whiskeys, I’m sure) the search for a more modern and comfortable fit began. After all, rules were meant to be broken. During the late 19th century there was the birth of the contemporary lounge suit, which is what is used today to shape suits for coming generations. Surely a suit is not just a pair of trousers and a jacket resembling what your dad wore to his wedding, it is a man’s equivalent to an LDB: a little black dress. Every man needs one. There is no pressure for any of you to look like you just stepped out of the costume department of Mad Men, what you need to know though is why it is important to have a good suit and how to wear it. Let’s face it; whether it’s for your graduation or for your girlfriend’s stepmom’s brother’s wedding - if you are of a certain age, you need a suit. Many students these days can’t even afford airtime, much less a new suit however. There are some words of advice: firstly, there is nothing wrong with hiring a suit for a formal occasion but you can start putting together your own resources when it comes to preparing for an important date or event. Start with the bare essentials and work your way up; for example, buy a pair of good socks and a crisp white shirt to form your foundation. By having these essentals you only need to add a pair of pants and a suit jacket. For a summer event an emerging trend is not wearing anything around the neck, it not only compliments the simplicity of a quality white shirt, it also makes you look well put together and there’s none of that claustrophobic feeling constantly reminding you that you are wearing a necktie. If you are someone who follows and emulates international trends you’ll know that Boss by Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani create some amazing attire for any event that requires a tie and a jacket.

The essentials of suiting up

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Polo on the other hand gives a traditional suit a more eccentric transformation; pair some formal khaki pants with a suit jacket in a dark brown tone, wear a light coloured cardigan instead of a waistcoat, and opt for a printed bow tie (or tie for those who are less adventurous). Another winter trend that is sneaking its way into that suit ensemble is mixing prints; pairing a dark check shirt with a printed bow tie in a lighter tone, or taking it to the next level with a check suit, a la Ben Sherman and Paul Smith. Locally you’ll find Carducci is at the top of the list when it comes to putting together a great suit. There are many ways to skin a cat though. At this point you might not have the funds to indulge and purchase a well made ensemble so here are some tips. Once you’ve established the basics, socks and a white shirt, you can start adding pants; preferably black, charcoal or navy, a jacket to match, and start hunting down flea markets and vintage stores for unique ties and other accessories. The next important thing, if not more important than a suit, is a good pair of formal shoes. It is true that many young men choose to wear a suit with an old pair of All Stars, or Nike high rise shoes, but a true gentleman finishes it off with a good pair of classic formal shoes, which if you buy smart, you can find at either Markhams, Woolworths, and even Edgars. It is important for any student to buy smart, but that does not necessarily mean that you should buy cheap, it is after all an investment. When it comes to accessories, they are there to compliment, not to overpower. Some good choices to consider when going to an event would naturally be your tie or bow tie, cufflinks, a pocket square (be careful not to match too much), a watch, and only in the rarest case, a hat.

Victorian novelist, Anthony Trollope, once wrote, “And though it is much to be a nobleman, it is more to be a gentleman.” My fellow men, dust off your negative attitudes, bring out your combs, and stroke your ‘staches. It is time that we once again become true gentleman.

By: Johann Huebsch

MELANIE is writing her english literature exam the following day. While studying, she receives a call from her friend asking her to go see a movie. Melanie declines the invitation, explaining that she has to study for an exam. As she continues to study, she becomes aware that she does not have a pen to write study notes. All of a sudden, her sister in the next room, starts to play her stereo loudly. Even so, Melanie resumes her studying but soon she realises that it is pointless because she has been reading the same page for ages!

If you see yourself in the above description, you can at least draw comfort from the fact that you have plenty of company. Studying for tests and exams is not an easy task. Especially when you are surrounded by many distractions. For this reason, many universities find their students perform poorly in their assessments. As a result, universities invest in workshops that teach students to have better study habits. However, for an improvement to be seen, students will need to apply the knowledge that they receive.

Your environmentConsider some of the useful suggestions gleaned from these workshops. # Most of us need a quiet place that is set aside for study. If you share a room or if space is limited in your home, improvise! Perhaps the kitchen, or someone’s bedroom, can be proclaimed your study area for an hour or so each evening. Or, as a last resort, try a public library. # If possible, use a desk or a table with plenty of space on which to spread out your work. # Keep supplies such as pencils and paper handy so you won’t have to get up constantly. # Distracting pictures, or desk-top souvenirs might best be removed. Sorry to say, having the TV or the radio on generally works against concentration. So do telephone calls or visits. # Make sure that you have adequate, glare-free lighting (at least 100 watts). Good lighting reduces study fatigue and protects your eyes from strain as well. # Don’t forget to check ventilation and room temperature. A cool room provides a more invigorating study environment than a warm one does.

What if you find yourself thinking, ‘I’m just not in the mood for studying’? Remember, study is serious business and life seldom allows us the luxury of indulging our moods. At a secular job, you will have to start work at the same time every day and employers value workers who can be trusted to work by themselves. So be business-like about your studying.

Your study routineIf your studying involves a lot of reading, you might try the following method: 1. SURVEY your material. Glance through the assigned material, looking at subheadings, charts and so forth, so as to get an overall view of it. 2. Make up QUESTIONS based on chapter titles or topic sentences at the beginning of paragraphs. (This keeps your mind focused on what you read.) 3. READ looking for the answers to these questions. 4. When you’ve finished each paragraph or section, RECITE or tell yourself from memory, what you have read, without looking at the book. 5. When you have finished, REVIEW by scanning headings and testing your memory of each section. Some claim that this method has helped students retain up to 80 percent of what they read!

Meditating on what you read will help you to retain it. One educator says: “It’s important to have the student realize that a fact doesn’t exist in isolation but is always related to other information.” Try, therefore, to relate what you study to what you already know and have experienced. In this way, facts begin to mean something to you; your knowledge grows into understanding. Grades are merely a way of measuring academic progress. They are not the final judgment on your worth as a person. Nevertheless, take advantage of the time you are in varsity and learn as much as you can. Usually that effort will be reflected in grades that will make you very happy!

By: Mercy Dube

YOU’RE excited; you’re joyous and you feel victorious. After much hard work and dedication,

you see your name in the newspaper with the rest of your classmates. You’re so happy for

your friends who have made it and for the rest of your classmates too. Many of us are familiar

with the feeling of passing grade 12, that proud lecture you get from your parents and gaining

entrance to university or college. We prepare ourselves for the “big step” but very few of us make

preparations for our relationship with friends surviving after high school.

When I got into university, I was so excited despite the somewhat unbearable workload. I was

doing 13 modules in my first semester of tertiary, which was basically twice the amount of

work that I had to do in high school. This was a lot - considering the fact that I was a student

coming straight from high school, I felt like an overworked peasant. My social life dwindled

like a perishing balloon. I had gradually failed and had forgotten about my friends because I

was so overwhelmed with work. This makes it hard for friendships from high school to continue

thereafter.

Friends are the people whom you go to in times of trouble; they know you relatively better than

you know yourself in some cases. Even better, good friends understand when you can’t make

it to lunch because you have a deadline to meet. Sometimes, ss much as you would like to

maintain the relationship you have with your friends, in reality, that is impossible.

It is very rare for best friends to stay that way after high school. Just like any relationship, you

need to work hard at it - make time for your friends, despite the hectic schedule that this busy

life we lead can bestow upon us. When I was busy with my first year, I made no time for my

old friends - the only downtime I had was on campus with my new friends. Off-campus, it was

a different story where we would all be either be busy with school work or make time for our

families.

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07 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

Photo: Jono

Study Habits

Friendship after

high school

NEWFOUND freedom means responsibility, most students get excited when they get to tertiary level education, they get to work at their preferred/own pace. No one controls them or monitors how they spend their time or money. Tertiary life is not as easy as it may seem in the movies. Students do not just go to the cafeteria and swipe their cards and get given their meals. They must budget to make sure they have enough to spend for the whole month or spend according to their allocated daily limits. Since most students don’t have parents to physically run to, when they run out of money, they must practice self-restraint. For many students who are dependent on a bursary or National Students Financial Aid Scheme the money may initially seem as if it is a lot but it is not. The money has been pre-determined and is just enough for basic needs. Many students usually do not have enough of their allocated allowance to carry them throughout the month. This is due to mismanagement of funds given. The following are tips on how to manage finances:

BudgetingEvery builder before they construct a building first go to the drawing table to draw up a plan, this will determine how much material is needed, how long it will take to build and how much everything (material and labour) will cost. A student must behave similarly. We must draw up a budget of all the incomes

they receive: allowances from home, part time jobs or/and bursary. Then calculate their expenditures. A student budget can look like something like this:• R15000 Budget • R2000 Rent • R1100 Transport• R1200 Food• R3200 Books (if they are not covered in the student loans or bursary) • R1400 Entertainment• R1100 Miscellaneous (photo copy, pens, memory stick, contri bution to group projects and other unplanned expenditures) • Saving for a rainy season

As students, we tend to think that we do not have enough money to save, however no one knows when tragedy will strike or sickness will come. There should always be some money put away. It can be as little as R50 or as much as a student’s monthly expenses. Sizakele, a NMMU South campus student living at Xanadu residence says, “The trick I use for my budgeting is that, I have different envelopes for different weeks of the month. I divide the money left after paying off my bills into the four weeks. At the beginning of each week I open an envelope, this helps control my urges to use up all my money in the first week.”

Other ideas students came up with where cheap meals they make such as noodle recipes. “I buy lots of them and I spice them up by cutting Vienna’s and mix with them. Sometimes I fry mince and grate cheese over them,” explains Babalwa Noku-zula, a resident and South campus student. “You must be crea-tive with what you have.

You don’t have to eat dull food to live within your means,” says Angie MacFarland, a BA MCC student, that she and her friends buy in bulk and divide the groceries among themselves. ‘There are many ways to make your money go further and doing this makes sure that all of us have enough money to go out when we want to. There is nothing that dampens the spirit as when a friend does not have money to go out and everyone has just enough to pay their way. Now we seldom have that problem because we share our grocery bill.’

These are a few effective ways to make your rand stretch. The first step is in planning what you have, which resources to use and what can wait. This will not only reduce the stress of many students but make campus life enjoyable. With South Africa’s unpredictable economy and many South Africans living in debt, beginning now to learn to use your resources will be a skill that will help you even after your studies and in the work place.

By: Sibongile Grootboom

Photo: Jono

So how do you maintain the bonds of friendship when you leave the small world of high

school and enter the big world known as the rest of your life? It is not easy however; there

are a few things that one can do to keep their friendship alive. The following are ways to

assist you in keeping your friends close:

• Keep each other updated with your lives; this will require a lot of effort. It does not

matter which medium of communication you use to keep in touch, use whatever is

convenient for you. Facebook, WhatsApp and BBM have made it a lot easier for people

to keep in touch with their loved ones from all corners of the world.

• Make time for your friends. Yes, things can get hectic but what is important is to keep

the ones that you deem dear to you close at heart. Even if you hang out for an hour at

a coffee shop - an hour can make such a difference.

• In a busy day, call them and tell them you love and miss them. This will make your

friend feel appreciated and special.

• Prepare to grow apart a little. The two of you are approaching adulthood and priorities

will change. Try to be more open-minded, understanding and don’t be jealous of new

friends - instead invite them over when you plan a get-together. This will assure your

friend that you’re confident and that you’re not competing with her new friends.

Starting a new life can be exciting but that does not mean you have to ditch your old

friends. Sometimes it may be unintentional but good friendships are worth the effort

that it takes to maintain them. Life is about change and every time the change occurs;

it will teach you something about yourself. Friendships are complicated and they play a

significant role in moulding you as you grow up. Remember, If you are willing

to maintain your friendship; make the effort and don’t be embarrassed to initiate it first.

B: Unathi Bonga

Money Mismanagement

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09 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

EVERY child is born with a dream but the realisation of a dream is dependent on others to make it a reality because we need each other to reach our dreams and goals. We grow up and emulate our parents, relatives or people we see on TV. The phrase “everyday a star is born” is not a nut in a shell but a reflection of life’s cycle because as you read this article, a mother just gave birth to the next Jacques Kallis.

The greatest dilemma that the province of the Eastern Cape has is: not being able to compete with other provinces of the country in sports. This has been looming for a while as our provincial teams are never on par with the rest of the leading provinces such as the WP, GP and KZN it seems. Despite being one of the most gifted provinces when it comes to talent, be it rugby, cricket or soccer, the leading sport codes in the country, we always fall short. Why is that? What usually happens is that our home grown talent is taken from our shores because of our lack of refining a product that was manufactured in our factory. Our government has a big role to play in the development process and when the results are not forthcoming for quite an extensive amount of time. We can only look to organisers and trainers to come up with answers as to why this is the case in our province.

The Democratic Alliance Provincial Spokesperson for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Pine Pienaar once said/said/believes that, “The phenomenal achievement of East London-born singer Zahara in winning eight SAMAs (South African Music Awards) makes us all very proud and is a reminder of the many talented artists and sportsmen- and women who hail from this province. Sadly, our top achievers in sport, the arts and culture receive little if any financial and moral support from the province. We should be jealously guarding our home-grown talents and should not allow that they are poached by other provinces because we don’t have the necessary support, infrastructure and competitive edge.”

It is unfortunate that aspiring talent flees to other provinces due to lack of facilities, opportunities and incompetence of their respective provinces. If one were to take into account how much/the effort is put by the Western Cape government

in the development of the youth to participate in recreational activities is relatively astounding.

A great example of this is Ajax Cape Town, where they take children from the dusty streets of Cape Town townships such as Langa, Mitchellsplein, and Cape Flats. They nurture their talents to benefit the club in the future, taking full advantage of the talent they possess in the province. Bafana Bafana captain, Steven Pienaar was discovered through the Ajax Cape Town development initiative.

The same systems are not fully implemented in the Eastern Cape because development has not been prioritised as much as in other provinces. Based on talent alone, it is clear to see that we possess an untapped source.

Schools like Grey High in Port Elizabeth, Dale College, Selborne College and Queens College receive funding, but you ask yourself as an individual “where are the results?”, the results are there but they are not of any benefit to the province because our provincial structures are lacklustre, so these players are bought by teams from around the country because they stand a better chance of representing their country. For instances players who have left our shores because of this dilemma is are the Ndungane twins who play for the Sharks and the Blue Bulls respectively. Keegan Daniels of the Sharks, Lwazi Mvomvo; Justin Kemp, Darryl Cullinan, Ashwell Prince, Thami Tsolekile - cricketers from the Eastern Cape.

This may be a surprise to some because some of our greatest leaders come from the Eastern Cape but it is saddening to see our sport in such a poor state, when we have influential people

who can create relationships and programmes to further equip the people of the province. These programmes can ensure that children have access to basic equipment and coaches, disseminate invaluable life skills, improve the quality of sport coaching and build hope through play and improvement in community development of new talent.

The one sport that has suffered immensely because of the lack of development in the Eastern Cape is soccer. In this sport code, the province has really failed to have any major team except Umtata Bucks, later known as Bush Bucks; the last club to make an appearance in the Premier Soccer League is Bay United, which was relegated in the same season they got promotion. The trope of our soccer is the barefoot child playing on a dirty field with a rag ball and in what I have witnessed in South Africa is that scenario has been harder to avoid than to find. Developing youth soccer is a challenge for everyone involved in soccer, government, soccer clubs, teams, private companies, coaches and parents all have a major part to play.

Photo: Jono

By: Unathi Bonga

LIFE’S a beach. How many times have you come across people who constantly make comments about their weight? Whose body they would like to have? Or those people that have been planning to join the gym for years? Yes, I know. With today’s media, high speed technology that enables us to get access to information fast, and our obsession with celebrity culture; we are bombarded with information about shortcuts to lose weight.

The secret to weight loss is that, there is no secret. Truth of the matter is that we need to deal and handle weight matters just like any other aspect of life. We need to be realistic, set goals that are measurable and achievable. I always say, when life throws you lemons, why not make orange juice instead of lemonade? My point is we need to step away from doing what is just expected of us by society, but rather do what we can do with what is available at our disposal.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with conformity, unless it takes you off from what you are comfortable with or what makes you happy. The one major problem that we often make is that we tend to compare ourselves with celebrities, forgetting that celebrities in most cases get paid to look good. It’s their job.

But most importantly, they have an army of people, professional people that will help and guide them through the process of losing weight, weighing the pro and cons and devising a plan or programme that will be most suitable for that particular person. Whereas we on the other side are constantly on the lookout for quick fixes that can be harmful to our bodies and are likely to impact on our overall health state.

Recently, Jennifer Hudson, Hollywood actress and singer with assistants from Weight Watchers professionals has lost 80 pounds and soon after that she released a book, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down. Knowing celebrity culture, it is utmost impossible not to think or imagine that her weight loss was a publicity stunt to promote her new book and of course, the Weight Watchers programmes, of which she has made a fortune.

So, how do we move away from the diet mentality when most of us look up to this celebrity’s weight loss success stories? One needs to be honest with themselves. In most cases it is never about the food. We usually use food for comfort and to fill a void, therefore there are often emotional attachments to the food. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others because that is likely to influence our self confidence in a negative way. Do yourself, be yourself and head to the gym!

Lack of sports development in the Eastern Cape

By: Lwanda Bana

Get thin or die trying

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10 | NMMyou NEWS | Second Edition September 2012

Third year PR class unites to help MasifundeThe third year BA Media, Communication and Culture Public Relations stream students of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University have put together a ‘Here Comes the Sun’ campaign, an initiative to raise funds for a local non-profit organisation, Masifunde Learner Development.

Masifunde Learner Development is currently in the process of constructing an educational centre, Lavel’ilanga in Walmer Township for its youth. Lavel’ilanga means Here Comes the Sun. “With this phrase, we, the youth of Walmer Township, express the importance of education in facilitating positive change in our today’s society. And just like the sun, the education centre, as well as the education it provides will be available to everybody, not only to the privileged,” said Thabo Mali, one of the members of the Lavel’ilanga Youth Forum that came together to envision the building of the centre in 2009.

Rainbow RunThe first part of the project takes the form of a Rainbow Run and festival which will take place on 22 September 2012 at the NMMU RAG Farm, South Campus, NMMU. The event is open to the entire Bay. Registration will open from 09h00 and the race will start at 10h00. The entry fee for participants is R35.00. Children under the age of 7 will unfortunately not be able to participate. All proceeds will go towards the development of the Lavel’ilanga Education Centre.

The run will take place at the NMMU Rag Farm situated on South Campus and the route for runners will be directed by marshals. Entrants are encouraged to wear white as they will run through different colour zones where they will be splashed with anti-stainable, environmentally-friendly corn-starch. The campaign has ascribed characteristics of the Masifunde Learner Development organisation to each colour of the rainbow, offering the opportunity for the campaign to articulate not only the existing success of the organisation, but to further communicate Masifunde’s potential in creating a brighter future for the local youth with the continued involvement of the community.

A ‘finishing festival’ will be held at the finishing line, with spectators and finishers being prompted to launch colour into the air every 15 minutes. The colour festival will have refreshments for sale, stalls, and activities for the kiddies as well as entertainment.

For more information or to register for the run, please contact: Sian Adams at s210114290@live.nmmu.ac.za or 073 550 5164, Kedibone Adams at +27724498757 or Sasha Blignaut +27823884580. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter @Masifunde2012 or like the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/masifunde.

Rainbow TeaThe students are also organising a second event, a Masifunde Rainbow Spring Tea, to take place at the PE MOTH Bowls Club in Walmer on Saturday 6 October from 11am. The tea offers great food, entertainment and the opportunity to give back to a truly worthy cause. A fashion show and musical performers will keep guests entertained while they enjoy their fabulous tea. Each guest will also take home a goodie bag valued at over R100.

Two exciting events mean good times - and a good cause!

Most exciting of all, though, are the prizes on offer. One of the fundraising initiatives at the event is an American Auction. The American Auction format means that guests hold up notes (R10, R20, R50) while music is played. A runner dashes between the tables collecting all the notes. The last person to have put their note in the bag when the music stops, wins the prize. Masifunde has been fortunate to procure some excellent prizes for the American Auction. Georgiou Hotel and Spa has sponsored a couples stay in their honeymoon suite for 1 night with limo collection, a three course meal at the Cattle Baron steakhouse and breakfast in bed valued at R5500, Massmart has sponsored a 7kg Samsung Deep Foam Washing machine (valued at R3999), Kuzuko Lodge has sponsored a one night stay for two to the value of R3400 and Havilah Jewellers has sponsored two Pandora bracelets and charms to the value of over R1000 each. Veaudry International is also sponsoring three hair irons to the value of R2000 each.

The prizes do not stop there as the team has also secured a number of lovely lucky draw and spot prizes for the event, including back, neck and shoulder massages from Georgiou Spa, Cattle Baron vouchers, beauty hampers for the Beauty Academy International, and vouchers for entry to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden in Plettenburg Bay valued at over R400 each.

The tea costs just R120. Tickets are limited so it is important to book your tickets early. Contact Deneal Dunn on 0789496037 or Sasha Blignaut on sashablignaut@ymail.com or +27823884580 for tickets.

Raffle tickets will also be on sale at both events. For R10, participants stand a chance of winning a DSTV decoder and installation sponsored by Multichoice, a back, neck and shoulder massage courtesy of Georgiou Hotel and Spa or a chocolate hamper brimming with Cadbury products.

Help the third year class of public relations stream students and Masifunde by supporting these worthwhile events. Let’s help them bring on the sun!