Alita_Of_Adventure

Professor Angeni Bheekie is calm and gentle in manner but her passion for pharmacy brings out a fired-up lecturer who aims to change the face of pharmacy. “People generally don’t know what a pharmacist is or does,” says Angeni Bheekie a Professor of Pharmacology. Her service learning programme and research is attempting to change the way in which society and pharmacology students view pharmacists. Professor Bheekie is researching the most effective approach to motivate pharmacy students to become and be seen as “active members rather than dormant dispensers.” She speaks about pharmacists with so much pride it makes you feel as if they are the superheroes of the medical field. Pharmacists seem to play the ‘mundane’ role which people see in every day encounters but then behind-the-scenes they are actually saving lives and changing the medical profession.

Not many people can slay an enemy, eat, smoke, listen to music, type and do abnormally large amounts of clicking at the same time. This group of gamers have mastered the art and are challenging their way to the top. It is full-blown war as you walk into the darkness with blue flickering lights. The air is filled with smoke and it feels as if you have five lit cigarettes dangling in your mouth. “I’m struggling in safe lane,” an injured soldier cries for help. “We need to gang Tidehunter in the lane,” the captain shouts. “They’re farming too hard, Top Lane,” shouts another. “I’m coming now,” is the reply from the support. Other than these few short cries for help and commands from the captain, the room is quiet but not silent. Distant voices can be heard through ear phones and there is a constant clicking sound. “Fuck man!” Another soldier dies. 20 minutes of this gruelling battle and the fight is over. They have been defeated, now they have to wait till next time…...

Most people connect internet espionage with terrorism threats and Wikileaks but South African journalists also experience the pressure. “Unfortunately there are very real indications that some state and private actors in South Africa have obtained the capacity to gain access to private information, and that journalists may be targeted illegally,” says Stefaans Brümmer, Manager from Mail & Guardian’s investigative unit, Amabhungane. The main point of concern for the investigative journalists is their sources and the possible breach of privacy.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a force to be reckoned with and is “leaping from strength to strength” according to Richard Poplak the author of Until Julius Comes. He was addressing an audience at Stellenbosch University’s journalism department yesterday and discussed his views on the prospects of the EFF as an opposition party in South African politics. Poplak explained that right now, the EFF will not be able to exist without its leader, Julius Malema, but that the structures are being put into place. “He has an extremely compelling presence like no other politician I’ve ever seen.”

Tygerberg Hospitaal is die amptelike bestemming vir Wes-Kaapse Ebola-pasiënte. Privaat- en staatshospitale sal ook gereed staan om pasiënte te ontvang. “Solank die hospitaal mense gemaklik hou en die regte beskermende oorpakke verskaf, sal hulle vir die siekes kan sorg,” sê dr. Jantjie Taljaard van die Sentrum vir Aansteeklike Siektes (SAS).  Tygerberg en SAS is al lank besig met onderhandelinge om te verseker dat Suid-Afrika se gesondheidsdienste paraat is om die Ebola-krisis en die verspreiding daarvan te keer.

I do not understand the fascination with marijuana and I did not support the legalisation at all, until now. After reading many articles, and yes they were academic and not some hippie’s journals, I found myself asking ‘why not?’ I am also not talking about only legalising it for medicinal purposes; I am saying legalise it for recreational use too.

STELLENBOSCH - South African journalists need to start appreciating and protecting the free flow of information in the country. Our media is not diverse and independent enough. On International Press Freedom Day, 2 May, Stellenbosch University Journalism department hosted a small conference to commemorate the day and 20 years of democracy. Johanna van Eeden from Volksblad spoke about the freedom and responsibility of journalists in the new South Africa. “Press freedom is the right which protects all other rights.” She said that the role of journalists should be “the voice for the voiceless”.

Lying in bed, your eyes want to close but your brain is not allowing slumber to take over. You have just reached that deep sleep, or so you think, and then you wake up for the fifth time that night. You are victim to sleep disorder. There are many people who have fallen victim to what they diagnose as sleep disorder and are now taking sleeping pills to get the rest they require. Focusing on students it is clear that sleeping pills have become more of a ‘preventative measure’ than a ‘cure’. The medical dictionary online gives the definition of sleep disorder as, “a group of syndromes characterized by disturbance in the patient's amount of sleep, quality or timing of sleep, or in behaviors or physiological conditions associated with sleep.”

Lack of sleep, sore muscles and minimal rest. The ballerina lets us peek behind the curtains to see what it takes to be a performing artist.  The theatre goes quiet and there is an array of “shh shh” heard as the music starts playing. The last few lit up cell phone screens disappear and then it begins. You sink back into your chair with the sounds of the violins and harps as the curtains open. As an audience member, one never quite knows what to expect from a show. Each performance holds something new and unique. The pitter patter of the pointe shoes on the stage is what reminds you that these people are dancing on their toes, on a piece of wood. Admiration may not accurately describe what you feel, ‘awe’ would seem more fitting. The curtains slowly open.

Stellenbosch - Mutondo ‘Paul’ Matenda leads a double life of Master’s Student and tutor by day, and Bohemia bouncer by night. While many know him as ‘Paul the bouncer’ very few people are aware that he is in fact completing his Master’s in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. Matenda has been in Stellenbosch for three years and has been working as a bouncer throughout. He comes from Lubumbashi, Congo, the oldest of ten. As the oldest child he is regarded as the breadwinner and that is why he decided to truly stand out and achieve a Master’s in Engineering. “In my country if you fail you stay at the same level and I wanted to reach a higher level,” said Matenda.