PDBY

In a night of cultural passion and diversity, where unity meets uniqueness, STUKU showed up and showed off yet again this year. So often, our talents, expressions, and the depths of our identities are hidden as we try navigating university life. However, events like this remind students that they are more than their academics – they are people with creative minds and diverse expressions. The night was filled with talented performances, high spirited programme directors, and an engaged audience.

You have just turned 18… now what? Well, it comes with a lot of fun, officially being of drinking and clubbing age, as well as finally being able to attend university. But being 18 also comes with a lot of responsibility, such as voting in your first ever election. Everyone tells first-time voters to go vote, but no one ever explains how. Many first-time voters are unsure about how registration works, and some even believe that their vote does not matter. So how exactly does one get it right?

At the beginning of March, frustrated students took to the streets demanding the immediate release of delayed NSFAS allowances to NSFAS-funded students. Many students lived off of aid provided by non-profit organisations, student structures, and donations from friends while they awaited the release of their allowances. Bezantsi Mgando, a student residing at Varsity Studios, was one of the many students affected.

On 26 March, the UP-SRC and Constitutional Tribunal held the first quarter’s Student Forum, a platform in which student leadership can be held accountable by the greater student body. The proceedings were led by Chief Justice Realeboga Chidi of the Constitutional Tribunal, with each SRC member reading out their quarter one report. As is custom, the annual meeting was couched with controversy and disruption, with members getting into multiple arguments throughout the proceedings.

Many people are aware of the ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States of America (USA), but few understand how these global conflicts indirectly affect students in South Africa. One of the most immediate impacts is the rise in fuel prices. South Africa relies heavily on imported oil, and geopolitical instability in the Middle East often disrupts global oil supply chains.

The ongoing conflict between the United States of America (USA), Israel, and Iran has had many widespread effects on many nations, including driving up fuel prices globally. In South Africa, fuel prices increased, with petrol going up by R3.06 per litre and diesel rising by over R7 per litre despite a temporary reduction of the fuel levy by R3.00 per litre. These fuel hikes are bound to have a ripple effect on many South Africans, including the University of Pretoria (UP) students and staff.

On 11 April, TuksEkhaya hosted a social at their clubhouse called Rodney’s Revival, an event that Jason Dickinson, the First Year Guardian and Head of Clubhouse and Marketing of TuksEkhaya, described as their “biggest clubhouse of the year”. Rodney’s Revival is the headline clubhouse event for the year. Traditionally, it is the first clubhouse of the second quarter, and it symbolises the return of Rodney’s after its “death” at the end of the first quarter.

On 9 April, the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria hosted an interesting talk. Prof. Babátúndé gave the talk under the guidance of Acting Dean Prof. SJ Cornelius. The talk was called “Framing the Scope and Study of Objects of Internationality in Pre- Africa”. It was an informative conversation that made people think about how International Law is taught and understood. Prof. Babátúndé said that International Law has been shaped by ideas for a long time.

Thump-thump, your heart frantically beats on Wednesday evening. Deep in the tasks of the week, the weekend is so far away, a distant dream it feels like. Outside, the low growl of thunder and the bright flashes of lightning act as a mockingly poetic backdrop to your frazzled doing. “Well, there goes my degree”, your mind whispers or rather screams. Everything feels conclusive. Final.

Public health clinics are famous for their long lines and slow service, but if you are at university and do not have medical aid, they can often be your only option for medical care. Even if you have been to a public clinic before with friends or family, it can be a very daunting experience navigating the system alone or going to a different clinic than what you know. To start with, many students are unsure about going to the University of Pretoria (UP) clinic or a public clinic.