OTHER THINGS HAPPENED TOO 2021
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LIP 2021
OTHER THINGS
HAPPENED TOO
The stories the media missed since the start of lockdown
2
Letter from the editor
O
n 16 March 2020, my by this virus, but also by information ready to get back to their normal these stories that were neglected as walks of life. These stories reminded
first lecture of the day at on it. lives. But that sense of normalcy focus shifted to pandemic-related us that there were other people that
Stellenbosch University was Initially, it was, of course, that we were so familiar with is information. This is how we arrive went through the same trials and
cancelled. At the time, I was a third year important to stay informed because unlikely to be the same as before the at the 2021 edition of LIP; to tell tribulations as we did, in some way
BA language and culture student. we knew almost nothing about pandemic hit. the stories that weren’t given the or another.
Shortly thereafter, I received an email Covid-19. It was new and the For us to attempt to restructure spotlight. To remind the reader that, Each one is important to us
announcing the indefinite closure of the world felt uncertain, so naturally our new normal for the future, it yes, other things happened too. because they help us to navigate and
university because of the looming threat we focused all of our energy into will become increasingly important While we were compiling this define this strange new world.
of the Covid-19 pandemic. educating ourselves on this event to remember to take stock of the edition, it became overwhelmingly As we start to recover the stories
A year later, I struggle to recall the that would soon dominate our lives. other stories that have continued to clear that the pandemic had (and we lost, hopefully a more complete
days, weeks and months that followed. Now, with pandemic fatigue influence our lives. continues to have) an immeasurable understanding of our current reality
What I do remember is the flood of long having set in, we can recite After all, the things we experience, impact on every aspect of our lives. will emerge.
Covid-19 related news and statistics, the symptoms, have masks hanging and how we remember and tell those With this year’s LIP we hope to make
rules and regulations. next to our keys and we may feel as stories, shape our view of the world a contribution in recovering, at least Nicola Spingies,
The world was plagued not only though we are virus experts who are we live in. However, it is precisely in part, the stories of people of all Editor-in-Chief
*LIP is produced and published by the Stellenbosch Journalism Honours class
Nicola Spingies Giuseppe Rajkumar Guerandi Alistair Seymour Kyra Rensburg Erin Walls
Editor-in-Chief Deputy Editor Production Manager Production Assistant Online Editor
Maryam Adams Keanan Hemmonsbey Kirsty Bucholz Tina Ddamulira Marianne Stewart
News Editor Deputy News Editor English Chief Sub-Editor Sub-Editor Sub-Editor
Wessel Krige Alexander Brand Jana Scheepers Caitlin Maledo Anri Matthee
Sub-Editor Sub-Editor Sub-Editor Sub-Editor Afrikaans-hoofsubredakteur
Carla Visagie Inge du Plessis James Cameron Heron Heléne Leonard Sibulela Bolarinwa
Subredakteur Subredakteur Pictures Editor Art Director Layout Artist
With special thanks:
Anneli Groenewald
Heléne Booyens
Elizabeth Newman
SUNMedia
Rebekah Falkson
The LIP team
Tamsin Metelerkamp Kimberley Schoeman Candice Jantjies Lara van Zyl
Layout Artist Layout Artist Layout Artist Layout Artist
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3
ETV Technical desk, taken in 2016 PHOTO: Maryam Adams
The stories that we missed According to Brandt, an overload “One of the biggest challenges [...] [that] more is happening [now,] than
Alistair Seymour of stories and information about was to faithfully bear witness to the a couple of months ago.”
Everything was
S
Covid-19 was presented to the unprecedented events happening
ince the first case was media. “If a story gets thrown your in our hospitals and in some of our THE WAY FORWARD
announced, on 5 March 2020, way, you report on that story,” Brandt Covid, Covid, communities,” Low expressed. From a health perspective, Low said
Covid-19 dominated news said, explaining that journalists did Gules acknowledged that, in that it is likely that Covid-19 stories
media coverage locally. This was not have a choice over what kind of Covid, because hindsight, she would have liked to are here to stay for the foreseeable
according to Nicki Gules, assistant stories they reported on. have reported on more stories about future, as the science in this field is
news editor of Sunday Times.
that is all anyone
“Everything was Covid, Covid, poverty and the increasing wealth developing quickly. “It has been, and
Governmental restrictions and Covid because that is all anyone [was] interested in gap, specifically the difference still is, quite easy to find fresh angles
a growing online media landscape [was] interested in reading,” said between people with access to for Covid-19 stories,” said Low.
meant that there was a range of Gules. She also expressed concern reading technology compared to those who “We never run out of angles
stories in the year 2020 that were over missed stories. There were so do not. because there is just so much
missed, she continued. many stories to tell, she said, but few coming out,” said Melanie Rice,
“Covid-19 impacted almost all professional journalists to tell them. fraud – were largely able to escape ‘COVID FATIGUE’ eNCA news anchor.
aspects of 2020, to the extent that criticism, Brandt continued. Brandt expressed there was a sense She emphasised that the news
even stories about other diseases had WHAT THE MEDIA MISSED “Accountability for [the] of ‘Covid fatigue’ from readers is always developing, so there will
a Covid-19 angle,” stated Marcus The media missed, or government’s response to Covid-19 because it has been the focus of always be other stories to report on.
Low, editor of Spotlight, an online disproportionately covered, stories has remained important at all stages the media for over a year. For Brandt, being able to access
health publication. dealing with corruption, health, of the pandemic,” stated Low. However, key stories concerning institutions like courts, businesses
The pandemic was the primary poverty and crime, specifically Access to hospitals was highly the pandemic were still popular, and other sectors once again, means
focus of the people, government, related to gender-based violence, restricted for journalists during the he continued. that journalists now have more
and the health sector, which meant said Brandt. height of the pandemic, said Gules. Stories that the public remain opportunities to report on more
that news media had access to an With Covid-19 taking the centre This meant that journalists were interested in are those concerning varied stories. This meant that
abundance of Covid-19-related stage in the media, the government – unable “to see how [the healthcare ‘family meetings’, the alcohol ban, journalists can now cover other
information, explained Kevin Brandt, who were usually closely monitored workers] were dealing with the and the vaccine rollout, Brandt said. stories that they could not cover
EyeWitness News (EWN) reporter. by the media for corruption and pandemic”, she explained. “It’s not that people care less, it's just during the height of the pandemic.
Photo collection: Marianne Stewart
Photo: LIP team/Supplied
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4
The children ‘left behind’
Jana Scheepers Mdoda explained. “It worsened
illiteracy within townships because
N
many learners could not proceed to
umerous schools – the next grade,” she added.
especially those in Kayamandi Secondary School
townships where access to displayed a similar trend.
funding was difficult – feared that “We experienced high dropout
some learners had been left behind rates across grades eight, nine and ten.
during the Covid-19 pandemic as However, many dropouts returned
schools were unable to adapt to in the new academic year to resume
online learning methods. their education,” stated Ntshanga.
Schools nationwide closed on Power Mgseni, a Kayamandi resi-
26 March 2020 following the initial dent, was concerned about the extra
Covid-19 lockdown. On 1 June costs incurred from school closure.
2020, schools resumed classroom- “It was difficult to have the
based teaching for matrics and kids at home, because we had to
grade seven learners, while the spend more money on food, and
remaining grades adopted an [on] everyday clothes as school
online learning approach. uniforms were no longer worn,”
This was after an announcement Mgseni said. Both he and his wife
made by minister of basic worked every day, and as a result
education Angie Motshekga in his children were unsupervised,
May 2020. added Mgseni.
Parents and learners experienced
uncertainty regarding the adapted ASSISTING TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS
education system, according to The WCED allocated R71 million
Happiness Mdoda, the principal in 2021 to fund township schools,
of Ikaya Primary School in which was “an increase from the
Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. R50 million received in 2020”,
“There was a lot of absenteeism, according to Mauchline.
and learners would sometimes “We also covered the cost of
miss a whole week of school, safety and cleaning materials, such
because they did not know when as masks and disinfectants, that
it was their turn to come to the schools needed to reopen safely
rotation classes, although it was during 2020 and the start of 2021,”
Limited resources hindered online learning techniques in township schools, according to Kerry Mauchline, Mauchline concluded.
communicated to the parents,”
spokesperson of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Photo: Jana Scheepers In addition to funding, Ikaya
said Mdoda. Limited resources
prevented the adoption of online Primary and Kayamandi Secondary
learning techniques in township attributable to the learning However, stipends from the WCED criminal activity among youth, as School were among the schools that
schools, which became, and challenges experienced under the enabled schools to print work for there was no education to fall back received food parcels from the WCED
remains, a cause for concern 2020 lockdown, Mauchline said. home-based learners, stated Mdoda on, according to Ntshanga. according to Mdoda and Ntshanga.
across South Africa, according to and Mathelo Ntshanga, principal “If children do not go to school, The negative effects of the
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson TOWNSHIP EDUCATION of Kayamandi Secondary School. especially from a young age, they pandemic on township schools
of the Western Cape Education Successfully adapting the 2020 “Additional communication will not have any skills to fall back remain prevalent, according to both
Department (WCED). school syllabus during Covid-19 on homework took place on, and resort to gangsterism and principals. This is especially evident
“Western Cape township was especially challenging in the telephonically and via WhatsApp,” drugs,” Mdoda said. in the decreased matric pass rate
schools have definitely seen township community, as a new added Ntshanga. Regular absenteeism was a major of Kayamandi Secondary School,
increased dropout rates in 2020 system had to be adopted in a short concern, according to Mdoda, since said Ntshanga. However, township
[due to the Covid-19 pandemic], time frame, said Mdoda. ILLITERACY WITHIN KAYAMANDI it directly affected dropout rates. schools are better prepared for
in comparison to 2019,” said Ikaya Primary and Kayamandi Townships faced unique “The school [Ikaya Primary School] long-distance learning in 2021,
Mauchline. The matric pass rate Secondary School were unable to challenges throughout Covid-19, had more than 1 000 learners, with said Mauchline. The WCED has
decreased from 82.3% in 2019 to obtain technological resources, said Mdoda. Exacerbated approximately 40 dropout cases in commended the positive start to
79.2% in 2020. This was directly as a result of insufficient funding. township poverty led to elevated 2020, compared to none in 2019,” the 2021 school year, she added.
Ongelykheid seëvier tydens grendelstaat
Inge du Plessis Wêreldbank se Gini-indeks – wat organisasie Equal Education (EE).
die skaal van gelykheid in ’n land ’n Tekort aan kos was ’n verdere
bepaal – as een van die ongelykste probleem vir hierdie leerders,
Die grendelstaat wat sedert lande ter wêreld bestempel. nadat die departement van basiese
Maart verlede jaar in plek is, “Twee uit elke vyf volwassenes het onderwys (DBO) die Nasionale
het volgens kenners bygedra hul hoofbron van inkomste aan die Skoolvoedingsprogram (NSVP)
tot die verdere verdieping van begin van die grendelstaat verloor,” opgeskort het. “EE, tesame met die
ekonomiese ongelykhede tussen het die Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Equal Education Law Centre en
Suid-Afrikaners. Survey gestel. Dié verslag is deur SECTION27, moes die DBO en agt
“[Die pandemie] het akademici uitgevoer om die impak provinsiale onderwysdepartemente
strukturele spanning veroorsaak van Covid-19 op Suid-Afrikaners se hof toe vat in Julie 2020 om die
wat die toeganklikheid tot lewens te bepaal. NSVP te hervat,” het Selebalo via
goedere en dienste wat nodig is Bestaande ongelykhede vir e-pos aan LIP gesê.
vir oorlewing, beïnvloed het,” het kinders in publieke skole – soos Alhoewel hierdie ongelykhede
Professor Lindy Heinecken, hoof toegang tot internet, rekenaars tydens die grendelstaat duideliker
van die departement sosiologie en selfone – het aanlyn onderrig gemaak is, kan die mate waartoe
en sosiale antropologie aan die as ’n opsie vir hierdie leerders dié ongelykhede foutlyne en
Universiteit Stellenbosch, via uitgeskakel, volgens Hopolang samehorigheid in die samelewing Volgens die Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey, het twee uit elke vyf
e-pos gesê. Selebalo, hoof van navorsing beïnvloed, nie bepaal word nie, het volwassenes in Suid-Afrika hul hoofbron van inkomste aan die begin
Suid-Afrika is in 2015 deur die by die gemeenskapsgebaseerde Heinecken gesê. van die grendestaat verloor. Foto: Inge du Plessis
LIP
5
problems to many commuters wearing masks, no one is checking
in the Cape Winelands area, as temperature, and taxis exceed
their nearest station may not be capacity,” claimed Manomano.
operational, mentioned Mihi. “Law enforcement officers should
“In addition to vandalism, illegal monitor the service, because
electrical connections, disposal no one is following Covid-19
of sewage onto tracks by informal regulations when it comes to
settlements along portions of the public transport,” he added.
route, sporadic gang turf wars Travel costs were another issue
and frequent service delivery for commuters. Many lost their
protests make it impossible to jobs because they were unable to
restore services without major afford transport costs, said Gwe.
intervention,” said Mihi. “This will “We’re using more money to pay
take time.” for taxis than the R250 monthly train
Before March 2020, Gladys Gwe, pass,” said Gwe, who now has to
a domestic worker from Paarl who spend R500 a month on transport.
travels to Stellenbosch for work, used Norman Masoka, a groom at
to commute via the Northern Line. East Hill Stables horseback riding
“The train system was good. It centre near Stellenbosch, explained
was only a problem when people that taxis used to leave at regular
used to steal the cables,” said Gwe. intervals because many people had
The Wellington route of jobs in the area and would use the
The Stellenbosch train station is on the Northern Line train route that is currently not fully operational. This poses
the Northern Line remains same taxi as him.
problems for commuters in the Cape Winelands area, according to Zinobulali Mihi, the acting marketing and
inoperational – and with no “But now I see more people lost
communication manager of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. Photo: Kirsty Bucholz
indication as to when all lines will their jobs due to [Covid-19], which
Covid-19 pandemic
be fully operational – Gwe and means it takes much longer if I take
many other commuters now make a taxi to work because the taxi needs
use of alternative transportation. to be full to go,” added Masoka.
derails public transport
“We’re struggling a lot. We now Some managers, like Mareli
have to use the taxi because it’s our Grobbelaar of East Hill Stables,
only option,” said Gwe. found financially viable solutions to
their staff ’s commuting issues.
HEALTH REGULATION CONCERNS According to Grobbelaar, public
Kirsty Bucholz However, the regulations continue “Significant portions of our Taxis are required to follow strict transport in the Winelands area is
to place strain on the public electrical infrastructure, tracks Covid-19 regulations put in place currently lacking variety.
T
transport industry and those who and some stations have been by the department of transport, but “The only real option is to travel
he prohibition of public rely on it to commute to work. either vandalised beyond repair, or according to Gwe, this is not always via taxis, which means that taxis
transport during hard According to an academic article completely removed by vandals,” the case in practice. can hike up their prices as they
lockdown, along with the The Impact of COVID-19 in South said Mihi. “People stand up or sit on top of wish. Because the taxi fares are
significant down-scaling of human Africa, published in 2020, and The vandalism occurred mainly each other,” claimed Gwe. “If you very expensive, I take the grooms
and industrial activities, has authored by Dr Emmanuel Sekyere. during hard lockdown when the complain, the drivers tell you to get to a certain point and they get a
intensified existing socio-economic trains were not operating, she added. off the taxi.” taxi home from there,” explained
problems for many South Africans, COMMUTING DURING COVID-19 The Northern Line – that Other commuters – like Grobbelaar.
according to the National Center for The number of train commuters has covers the Northern Suburbs Lenthel Manomano, a cleaner at a
Biotechnology Information (NCBI). also significantly decreased since of Cape Town and extends to Stellenbosch bar who travels via taxi * LIP reached out to the South
The public transport ban March 2020, according to Zinobulali Stellenbosch, Wellington and between Kayamandi and Stellenbosch African National Taxi Association
formed part of the initial Covid-19 Mihi, the acting marketing and Strand – is currently limited – share similar concerns. (SANTACO) for comment, but
regulations implemented in March communication manager of Passenger from Cape Town to Kraaifontein, “There is no social distancing reveived no response at the time of
2020, but has since been revised. Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). according to Mihi. This poses being enforced. Some people aren’t going to print.
The glass half-empty for wine industry
Lara van Zyl would ease the pressure of a non- through markets,” said Anja du produce from Boschendal and Although having a micro coffee
existent operation for most of 2020.” Plessis, marketing and brand surrounds in the comfort of their roastery on site has given us
Hermanuspietersfontein Wines manager at Boschendal. “We also own home.” additional exposure to clients that
The financial hit faced by wineries (HPF) had to close their year-round launched our online shop so people As for HPF, “the market remains otherwise would never visit us,”
due to alcohol bans implemented in market in order to comply with the could enjoy the incredible local our biggest drawing card. said Pienaar.
2020, has been widely reported on. regulations put in place. This was
But the wine industry itself was not according to Wilhelm Pienaar, CEO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
the only side affected: the hospitality and head winemaker at HPF. “We were constantly preparing for
end of the wine world experienced a “We were greatly affected,” said the unexpected,” said Pienaar. After
set-back too. Pienaar. The market, usually held the ups-and-downs of last year’s ever-
on Saturdays, offered food, wine changing restrictions, institutions had
NON-ALCOHOLIC, PLEASE? and family-friendly entertainment, to learn to prepare for the unexpected.
On 28 December 2020, President according to the HPF website. Therefore HPF was not surprised
Cyril Ramaphosa announced a when Ramaphosa reinstated certain
return to level three restrictions, EXPLORE SOME MORE restrictions over the December
which lasted until 1 February The Franschhoek Wine Tram started holiday, according to Pienaar.
2021. Similar restrictions to that of an initiative on Instagram called In his address to the nation on
the extensive alcohol ban during “Explore Some More” during the 28 December, Ramaphosa said that
the initial hard lockdown were December alcohol ban. the alcohol ban had to be reinstated.
implemented, including the ban of “This was to showcase non- This was due to people not acting
alcohol sales and the distribution tasting activities to inspire the responsibly when drinking by not
and transportation thereof. locals to still visit these estates wearing masks and the lack of social
The Franschhoek Wine Tram, and explore the other offerings distancing, he said.“We believe
which transports visitors from available, ensuring that some form that wine estates and tasting rooms
farm to farm for a wine tasting of income was still generated from Local wine sales have gone down 20% in the last year due to the alcohol
should have been excluded from the
experience, had to completely close our local market,” stated Lombard. bans in 2020 and 2021, according to an industry overview produced by
ban, as 95% of the clientele enjoy
down for the duration of the ban. Wine estates had to rely on different Vinpro and the South African Wine Industry. Photo: Lara van Zyl
wine responsibly,” said Lombard.
“We were forced to close down methods to attract customers during “When you remove the emotion
our services in what is known as the this time. Boschendal, located in EFFECT OF LOCKDOWN from [both] the question and
busiest week for tourism in South Pniel, Western Cape, adapted their According to statistics shared by Vinpro and South African Wine Industry answer, we understand that the
Africa,” said Cathrine Lombard, the activities to remain Covid-friendly (SAWIS), the alcohol ban caused an R8 billion loss in direct sales in South alcohol ban is the government’s
hospitality manager at Franschhoek while still attracting customers. Africa and a R3.7 billion loss in wine tourism revenue. The alcohol bans reaction to a situation beyond their
Wine Tram. “We were hoping “We decided to take this could cause 80 wineries to shut down in the next 18 months and 20 000 control. Do we think it is justifiable?
that the increased feet, normally opportunity to offer our guests people could lose their jobs, according to Vinpro and SAWIS. I guess the honest answer would be
guaranteed during the holidays, and visitors a taste of farm-living yes and no,” said Pienaar.
LIP
6
Fighting misinformation while
journalists lose their jobs
as a society, afford to lock in quality
Inge du Plessis journalism behind a paywall as
misinformation and disinformation
freely pollutes our public discourse,”
H
said Balliah.
undreds of journalists
lost their jobs at a time
MISINFORMATION
when verified and credible
The Global Disinformation
information about Covid-19 figures
Index, published in January 2020
and government regulations were in
has indicated that 70% of news
high demand. This was according to
consumers in South Africa cannot
the South African National Editors’
distinguish between verified news
Forum (SANEF) Covid-19 Impact on
and misinformation.
Journalism Report, published in 2020.
“Although social media platforms
“During the hard lockdown,
helped to spread important news,
people were desperate for official
for example when regulations
information about Covid-19, its
change, it also resulted in inaccurate
statistics, and what the government
information spreading just as
planned to do,” said Reginald
quickly. It caused large-scale panic
Rumney, SANEF researcher.
nationwide,” said Spies.
Online news saw an increase
At the end of March 2020, under
in numbers, while many print
section 11(5) of the regulations
publications were unable to print
published in the Government Gazette
as they were not deemed essential
under the Disaster Management
services under level five lockdown
Act 2002, it became a prosecutable
regulations. “In March, the news
offence to publish a statement through
category of sites saw a 44% increase
any medium with the intention to
in unique browsers and a 72%
deceive about Covid-19. This includes
increase in page views,” stated the
anyone’s Covid-19 infection status or
SANEF report.
government measures to address the
pandemic. The penalty was a fine or
We simply imprisonment for six months, or both.
“It is easier said than done to
cannot, as prosecute individuals who spread
misinformation because the
a society, individuals who made the claims are
afford to lock not always easy to find,” said Spies.
Mia Spies, a freelance broadcast journalist, started sharing verified information on her public Facebook page. Spies said that she made sure to
in quality Her followers on Facebook increased from about 14 000 to 45 000 during lockdown. Photo: Supplied/Mia Spies publish accurate information, from
reliable sources.
journalism informed decisions,” said Spies, via correspondence. “This, for me, is an The paywall, or membership This was to ensure that there was
email correspondence. Her followers indication of the value of journalism model, will be able to sustain a
behind a on Facebook increased from about in general,” added Balliah. smaller organisation, but not larger
no need for the public to rely on
WhatsApp messages or “voice notes”
paywall 14 000 to 45 000 during lockdown, ones, according to Balliah. to stay updated – only to then be
she stated. Journalists helped the OPERATING ONLINE “I think that there is an urgent misled by misinformation.
Mia Spies, a freelance broadcast public to understand findings and According to Rumney, the transition need for independently funded “Freely available quality journalism
journalist, said that she noticed a information about Covid-19, said from print to digital media journalism, as the business model for is the only vaccine against the scourge
lot of panic and uncertainty about Dinesh Balliah, media researcher and caused financial losses for large
online journalism does not bode well of misinformation,” stated Balliah.
organisations that lost advertisers in
the Covid-19 pandemic, which lecturer at Wits University. for larger institutions,” she said. According to Balliah, journalists
print publications.
caused members of the public to “We need to understand that only Some news organisations that can combat misinformation if smaller
The SANEF report found that
share their personal experience and good and strong health and science online advertisers mostly use are now operating online are newsrooms with enough resources at
opinions online. “I decided to start journalists have been able to clearly platforms such as Google and asking for subscription fees to hand are able to contribute free and
sharing verified information on my express sometimes very complex Facebook. “There is no chance that access information. This can be quality journalism to communities
public Facebook page to inform my matters, and others have not been able print income can be duplicated disadvantageous to the public, who are unable or unwilling to pay
followers and help them to make to do the same,” said Balliah, via email online,” stated Rumney. stated Balliah. “We simply cannot, for it.
Exploring social media as an alternative mode of education
Tina Ddamulira support at-home learning during from Apex High School on and learners had to respond with a having access to phones, according
lockdown, she added. 19 August 2020. thumbs up to confirm they received to Msileni.
“[WhatsApp] is widely used and Teachers who used WhatsApp the work,” said Van der Walt. “There were students who had to
can use less data than other online groups made use of voice notes share a phone with their relatives
When South Africa went into
streaming platforms, depending on to explain content and distribute STUDENT ENGAGEMENT and at times didn’t have access
hard lockdown in March 2020,
the file sizes sent,” said Mauchline. activities for the learners to WhatsApp is widely used, making it to that phone during class time,”
educational institutions had to
Facebook was also used, as complete, stated Evan Papier, the most accessible option for students. said Mlombo.
find ways to continue to educate
most mobile network operators Groendal Secondary School teacher, This was according to Mafungwashe Using WhatsApp made
students. For many schools, the
provide access to Facebook bundles, in a WCED media release from Msileni, an agricultural sciences teacher it difficult for teachers to
answer was a move to online
according to Ashric Don, a teacher at 9 April 2020. from Kayamandi Secondary School. understand why students were
classes. But this was not possible
Klapmuts Primary School. “[The students] can send their However, issues arose when it came to struggling with certain sections
for everyone. LIP spoke to
various educators to find out answers back in the group, either student engagement, she added. of the work, according to Van der
how they navigated alternative LEARNING ON SOCIAL MEDIA via voice notes, photo, video, or just Academically stronger students Walt. When students returned
education platforms. Don made use of Facebook’s typing it out,” said Papier. would participate in discussions to school for face-to-face classes,
Social media platforms “Social Learning” feature, which Teachers also created videos that on the WhatsApp group and send teachers had to repeat the
became the answer to better enables one to divide and organise they would send via WhatsApp, said through their answers, whereas “the content that was taught online.
communication with learners, all the grades and activities into Marzanne van der Walt, an Afrikaans academically weaker students would “Unfortunately we had to
said Kerry Mauchline, Western different units. teacher at Claremont High School. not participate in the group discussions”, reteach important language
Cape Education Department In order to keep the students “We had to record two hour-long said Moses Mlombo, principal of concepts,” she said. “We had to
(WCED) spokesperson. Many engaged, Facebook features such as lessons per grade and subject per Mandlesive High School. go over it again, so I could give
schools across the country relied polls, short videos and photos were week. [On Mondays] the videos and The lack of student engagement them activities and physically see
on WhatsApp and Facebook to used, according to a media release activities were shared on these groups was also a result of students not always how they tackled the [content].”
LIP
7
Pandemic pollution worsens
South Africa’s plastic problem
Tamsin Metelerkamp in which animals became tangled in awareness around responsible waste
mask strings, according to Fourie. disposal strategies, and to enforce
Single-use PPE and plastic products those strategies effectively.
T
that enter the environment, “There are people that don’t know
he Covid-19 pandemic has seen
degrade due to exposure to UV about waste management,” said
a significant rise in the use of
light and natural elements. This Sibisi. “So, we need to continue [...]
disposable personal protective
results in small synthetic fibres and to a point that [...] it becomes their
equipment (PPE) and single-use plastic
microplastics that are consumed by second nature to make sure that they
products in South Africa.
animals and humans, said Fourie. keep their environment clean.”
This was according to a World
Fourie stated that while the impact
Wildlife Fund South Africa (WWF
of microplastics on human health The LIP team reached out to the
SA) report from 2021 on waste
is still under study, “there may be department of fishery, forestries and Members of the City of Cape Town solid waste management services
management under lockdown.
a potential risk to those people the environment, but they had not clear debris from Brokenbath beach in Seapoint in April.
The rise, coupled with temporary
consuming them”. responded at the time of going to print. Photo: Tamsin Metelerkamp
closures of many community
While single-use PPE has a vital
recycling centres during lockdown,
purpose within the healthcare
has led to an increase in the mixing
industry, it is not a necessary measure
of general household waste with
for members of the general public,
plastics and Covid-19-related waste,
according to Ayanda Sibisi, chief
according to the report.
environmental health practitioner at
“You often see these items –
Sebokeng Hospital in Gauteng.
masks, gloves – being discarded,”
“If you are not in a hospital
said Amarein Fourie, microplastics
environment, I don’t think it’s
research leader at the Sustainable Seas
necessary for you to be using [...]
Trust. “Unfortunately, we see these
disposable PPE, because [...] that
types of things a lot more commonly
PPE ends up in the general waste
in the environment these days.”
stream,” said Sibisi.
The latest data shows that plastic
Reusable PPE products are
consumption in South Africa
effective as long as people employ
increased by 24% – from 1.5 million
proper standards of hygiene. Sibisi
tonnes to 1.9 million tonnes –
recommended that the general public
between 2010 and 2018. This was
use reusable items, such as washable
according to a WWF SA plastics
cloth masks, as much as possible.
report, Plastics: Facts and Futures,
South Africans can further reduce
from 2020.
plastic pollution by avoiding single-
“The interesting part about waste
use plastic packaging.
is that it will impact the environment Litter lies scattered throughout the mounds of water weed dredged from the Liesbeek River in Cape Town in
“The rise in single-use plastic
the same way that we have been April. Photo: Tamsin Metelerkamp
products to maintain hygiene in the
seeing before,” said Nhlanhla Sibisi,
food sector [...] has not been based
climate and energy campaigner for
on scientific evidence, rather a false
Greenpeace SA. “It’s the same
thing with PPE, especially with the
narrative which has spread fear and
overconsumption,” stated Lorren de
Medical waste disposal during Covid-19
single-use masks. The manner in
Kock, project manager of circular Covid-19 has increased the amount of transported to a general landfill site, contamination risk to humans and
which [people] discard them has a
plastics economy at WWF SA, on waste generated by hospitals, as many according to Avinash Ramsaywok, the environment, according to
multiplier effect.”
the rise in single-use plastics during departments that did not use personal national process operations manager Averda Waste Management.
Plastic pollution causes fatalities
the pandemic. protective equipment (PPE) prior to at EnviroServ Waste Management. While there are direct policies
among marine, freshwater and land
According to Greenpeace’s the pandemic, now use it as a standard “The waste gets incinerated at that guide the disposal of PPE
animals through ingestion and
Nhlanhla Sibisi, part of the problem precautionary measure, according to very high temperatures, and the in hospitals, enforcement of
suffocation. There have been cases
around plastic pollution in South Ayanda Sibisi, chief environmental product or the waste that comes out these policies is challenging
Africa is that the country lacks a health practitioner at Sebokeng of that is an ash,” said Ramsaywok. according to Sibisi.
If you are not culture of good waste management. Hospital in Gauteng. “That gets taken to a hazardous “I think the biggest challenge
“We’re one of those countries All medical waste, including Covid- landfill site.” with the legislation or the
in a hospital that are actually fortunate in related PPE, is required by law to be PPE waste that ends up application of the legislation, is
having very good legislation incinerated or sterilised, rather than in general landfills poses a human behaviour,” said Sibisi.
environment, I around waste management,” said
don’t think it’s Sibisi. “But as we would know,
the problem is always around
necessary for enforcement of that legislation.”
In the case of single-use PPE and
you to be using plastic waste, Sibisi suggested that
disposable PPE there has been a systematic failure
on the part of government to create
During the second wave of Covid-19 in January 2021, Averda Waste Management There has been a rise in the generation of health care risk waste (HCRW) in hospitals during the Covid-19
treated over 600 000 kg of Covid-19-related waste. This was a significant increase pandemic. This is in part due to an increase in the use of Covid-related personal protective equipment (PPE)
from previous months, according to Gerhard van der Merwe, operations manager by medical staff, according to Ayanda Sibisi, chief environmental health practitioner at Sebokeng Hospital in
in healthcare at Averda South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Averda Gauteng. Graphic: Tamsin Metelerkamp
LIP
8
Escaping 2020... with art
Kimberley Schoeman
T
he hard lockdown imposed
on all South Africans on
26 March 2020, following
the first confirmed local Covid-19
cases, forced the nation to move
inside their homes and towards
the inner spaces of their thoughts
and imaginations.
This was according to Emily
Roniger, founder of 5 O’ Clock, a
Cape Town-based embroidery brand.
Moments of joy from films, books,
craft, and art, created the opportunity
for escapism, expression and activism to
anyone and everyone during lockdown, Artisans from Me&B were sent home during lockdown level five
added Roniger. to sew at home. Photo: Unsplash/Marilia Castelli
The fashion industry:
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
Sachin Somers, a Cape Town-based
business analyst, pursued his own
creative challenge during lockdown
via his Instagram account. He did
comfier attire, tighter belts
this with a daily photograph series Marianne Stewart Kelly-Grace Swart, designer
titled “#ThunderBuddies”, a reference at Me&B, a Cape Town-based
to the 2012 film TED. A small selection out of the 2 000 exhibited pieces of art in the “Home is clothing brand.
Somers used a teddy bear to Where The Art Is: Art is Where the Home Is” exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA. The fashion industry was one of The artisans at Me&B “went
recreate the friendship between Photo: Kimberley Schoeman many industries that drastically into a cutting frenzy” to cut
TED’s main character and his best changed because of Covid-19. fabric into patterns, when
friend, a personified teddy bear. This The lockdown regulations they caught wind of the initial
allowed him to document his daily brought with it a massive decline lockdown. The artisans were then
life during the first three weeks of in economic activity, restrictions sent home to sew the clothing.
lockdown in March 2020. on fabric imports, and halted This guaranteed them an income
Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of production processes. as orders could still be delivered
Contemporary African Art), This was according to the to customers, according to Swart.
published an open-call via their South Africa Textile Market “The promotion of my
Instagram, on 1 September 2020, Report of 2020. collections had to be done a
to participate in a “democratic Many retail platforms and bit differently. I had to shoot
celebration of art belonging to, outlets struggled a lot, and as a the collection at home, with
and made by the people of Cape result, had to close for a period of my flatmate as my model,” said
Town,” according to the museum’s time. This left Sama Sama Cpt, a Stellenbosch-based designer,
Instagram post. This was kick-started Cape Town-based fashion brand, Ruan Goosen.
in response to the growing number with less avenues of income than The financial instability of the
of creative works shared online. before Covid-19, according to South African fashion industry
Somer’s porject made the cut. Kimberly Lardner-Burke, owner forced some designers to make
“Having photos of me with my of Sama Sama. the shift to loungewear.
teddy bear on the wall in Zeitz “We really started to place “We are now doing comfier
MOCAA is a slap in the face to a lot more attention towards clothes, with no sparkle,” said
modern art, because it is important social media and our website. Marian Park-Ross, owner of
for someone to see my photos as Paid advertising, discounts, Mungo & Jemima, a clothing
something you can relate to and have and posts helped a great deal to shop in Cape Town.
a good chuckle at,” said Somers. keep things going last year,” said This shift to loungewear
Works submitted by artists, Works submitted by artists, crafters, children and casual hobbyists were Lardner-Burke. was largely due to the fact that
crafters, children and casual all exhibited in the “Home is Where the Art is: Art is Where the Home is” “The shipments of [fabric] people had to stay home. “Of
hobbyists were all exhibited in the exhibition from 22 October 2020 to 26 April 2021. into South Africa were greatly course a larger shift was made
Photo: Kimberley Schoeman delayed, so local designers
“Home is Where the Art is: Art is more towards wearing practical,
Where the Home is” exhibition from were forced to look at stocks durable, comforable clothing that
22 October 2020 to 26 April 2021. SAVE THE SIX community, raising over R100 000. and things available to make showed long lasting sustainability,”
“I am not much of a creative, but I The District Six Museum in Cape The community felt mobilised and sure [that they] had stock,” said Lardner-Burke said.
am a bit of a geek and sociable person, Town struggled to raise money passionate, which is the crux of the
with an interest in pop culture. In some during lockdown, prompting the museum, and the reach that art has,”
way I was subconsciously inspired by community to pool its resources said Van Wyk.
movies or comic books, which you can in an effort to save the museum
see in the photos,” said Somers. – through crowd-sourced art, 5 O’ CLOCK
Somers was in pursuit of human photography, and sculptures. Roniger’s brand, 5 O’ Clock, is a
connectionduring a time when his This was according to Shannon slow-fashion brand focusing on
mental health was suffering. His van Wyk, project manager of the contemporary embroidery.
Instagram stories were a reflection of his “Save the Six” initiative. Roniger explained that during
own experiences, explained Somers. Van Wyk’s family members were lockdown, already having a routine
forcibly removed from District Six centered on a few commissions, kept
during apartheid. her sane. “I spent the first weeks
“Save the Six leaned on art as oncommissions, which I ended up
a platform to raise funds for the ignoring because I leaned on my
The community creativity more as a distraction than
museum via an Instagram auction of
felt mobilised and donated artworks from people with for work. I worked on passion projects,
connections to the community,” stated like an embroidered piece the size of a
passionate, which Van Wyk. door frame, more than commissions,”
Art is a reaction to culture, and Roniger explained.
is the crux of the the initiative was a reaction to the “Lockdown played a role in my
museum, and the pandemic, as a way of retelling creativity, but my creativity also played
A decline in clothing sales ensued nationwide as people did not
stories, said Van Wyk.“That is why we a role in my lockdown. I allowed
reach that art has used Instagram,” Van Wyk explained. myself to dream a little bigger outside shop as frequently as they did before Covid-19.
“We did not spend any money on of my work to be peripherally creative,” Photo: Sibulela Bolarinwa
the campaign. We reached out to the said Roniger.
LIP
9
Grendelstaat trek gordel nóg stywer
vir Afrikaanse fliekvervaardigers
Anri Matthee
The Lockdown Collection:
A
frikaanse fliekvervaardigers
sukkel nou meer as ooit supporting vulnerable artists
tevore om befondsing vir
nuwe projekte te verkry. Dít is
Carla Visagie “We also felt that it [was]
volgens vervaardigers wat meen dat important to include students in
verlede jaar se Covid-19-verwante Jana Scheepers this initiative, because they are
uitdagings nog vir lank ’n impak op the generation who will inherit
dié flieklandskap sal hê.
T
the challenges of the world post-
“Ek maak nou al vir 15 jaar lank he Covid-19 pandemic Covid,” Berman said.
flieks, so dis vir my regtig ’n passie en left many artists without This resulted in the Student
’n liefde,” het Danie Bester, vervaardi- a source of income due to Collection, which focused on 21
ger by The Film Factory South Africa, a lack of platforms for the launch artworks from selected students,
gesê. “Maar die begrotings wat ons and sale of their work. mostly from (UJ) and APS,
[voor die pandemie] gehad het, gaan The Lockdown Collection was according to Berman.
net nie meer beskikbaar wees nie.” created as a means to support Being part of The Lockdown
Fliekspanne moes sedertdien, “vulnerable artists” by auctioning Collection created the opportunity
volgens Bester, noodgedwonge geld off their Covid-19-related for artists to earn an income
spaar deur minder akteurs te gebruik, art pieces, according to The during Covid-19, but also to be
en op minder plekke te skiet. Lockdown Collection’s website. widely recognised, according to
“Dit beteken nie dat daar minder The initiative was founded Senzo Shabangu, an artist whose
waarde in só ’n rolprent is nie. Dit is by Carl Bates, chief executive artwork was showcased on the
maar net ’n ander tipe rolprent,” het Die toekoms van die Afrikaanse fliekbedryf sal nog lank deur die impak of the Sirdar Group; Lauren collection’s website.
hy gesê. “Daar gaan weer groter goed van die Covid-19-pandemie beïnvloed word. “Film en televisie, dink Woolf, founder and owner of “My artwork resembled the
kom, maar ek dink dit gaan baie ek, gaan vir altyd anders wees,” het Zandré Coetzer, vervaardiger by Mrs Woolf, a strategic creative essential workers on the frontline.
minder wees en dit gaan ’n tydjie vat Nagvlug Films, gesê. Foto: Anri Matthee marketing consultancy; and I thought I would pay some sort
om te herstel.” Kim Berman, founding director of homage to them, as the people
Fliekbegrotings en produksie- kan hierdie voltooiingsverbande tans internasionaal geskiet moes word of Artist Proof Studio (APS) who were highly at risk at that
spanne vir Afrikaanse projekte, was nie gesluit word nie. Finansiering nou weens reisbeperkings tot ons and visual arts professor at the time,” stated Shabangu.
voor die pandemie reeds nie groot van die DTI is dus buite bereik vir eie landsgrense beperk is, moes University of Johannesburg (UJ). The Lockdown Collection
nie. Dít is volgens Zandré Coetzer, vervaardigers se nuwe projekte. vervaardigers “kreatiewe oplossings “For the first 21 days of the also distributed grants of R3
vervaardiger by Nagvlug Films. Die DTI het teen druktyd nie op steroïede” vind, het Coetzer gesê. lockdown, I, together with the 000 each to over 300 artists,
kommentaar gelewer op die huidige Sy het vertel van ’n nuwe projek two co-founders [Bates and according to Berman.
UNIEKE UITDAGINGS stand van die PA nie. wat gedeeltelik oorsee geskiet sou Woolf], invited established artists “Some could receive up to
Die meeste plaaslike vervaardigings- Buiten befondsingsprobleme vir word. Nou word vervaardigers egter whose works would fetch over three grants over five months,”
maatskappye is volgens nuwe projekte, sukkel vervaardigers gedwing om “Nederland en Thailand” R25 000 each to be a part of The Berman stated.
Bester afhanklik van verskeie ook met die voltooiing van bestaande op hul agterstoep te vind, het sy gesê. Lockdown Collection initiative,” Stephen Langa, an APS
befondsingsbronne. projekte weens vertraagde produksie. Die vervaardiging van oorspronklike explained Berman. student and artist whose work
’n Tipiese fliekbegroting word “Die bottelnek kom, [want] materiaal was nie altyd moontlik nie. “Thereafter, the founders of the was showcased in the Student
gedeeltelik deur televisieverspreiders afleweringsdatums bly nog altyd Fliekvervaardigers moes dus kreatief collection employed a curator for Collection, said that 2020 was
ondersteun, terwyl die res van die dieselfde, maar ons kon dit nie te werk gaan deur, byvoorbeeld, the Extension Collection. a challenging experience for
kapitaal kom van private beleggers, geskiet het soos ons beplan het nie,” argiefmateriaal uit bestaande As the title suggests, this him, because he was left without
produkplasings en regeringsfondse, het Coetzer gesê. databasisse te gebruik, het Coetzer gesê. project was an expansion of financial surety.
soos die produksie-aansporingspro- the initial collection, in which “However, lockdown definitely
gram (PA) van die departement van ‘KREATIEWE OPLOSSINGS’ DIE PAD VORENTOE works of 21 additional South enhanced my creativity and
handel en nywerheid (DTI). Bester is Ten spyte van die uitdagings wat die Die Afrikaanse vermaaklikheids- African artists were showcased, taught me new technical ways and
egter onseker of hierdie model “óóit bedryf nou in die gesig staar, het bedryf het volgens Bester spesifieke according to Berman.” concepts for my work,” said Langa.
weer sal herstel”. die grendelstaat ook geleenthede vir uitdagings wat aandag verg.
Coetzer het verduidelik dat ’n innovering meegebring. Paramedici “Ek dink ons moet absoluut fokus
voltooiingsverband aangegaan moet is byvoorbeeld nou meer betrokke op die jeugmark. [Die Afrikaanse
word om finansiering van die DTI te op fliekstelle, het Coetzer gesê. bedryf] skeep dit geheel en al af,”
verseker. Sou onvoorsiene uitdagings Hulle is voorheen slegs gebruik het hy gesê.
tydens produksie opduik, sal só ’n wanneer gevaarlike toertjies geskiet Om die bedryf as ’n geheel te
verband verseker dat geld uitbetaal is, maar nou is hul teenwoordigheid ondersteun, word ’n geïntegreerde
word om die projek te voltooi. ’n voorvereiste vir enige projek, het benadering benodig. Dít is volgens
Aangesien Covid-19-verwante sy verduidelik. Nicola van Niekerk, senior bes-
uitdagings egter nie gedek word nie, Aangesien flieks wat aanvanklik tuurder vir teksgedrewe produksie
en aktualiteit by M-Net.
“’n Industrie kan nie op net een
vlerk vlieg nie,” het sy per e-pos
aan LIP gesê. Volgens Van Niekerk
benodig die bedryf beide “gevestigde
fliekmakers en nuwe stemme om
seker te maak dat die nodige opleiding
en innovasie plaasvind”.
Die vermaaklikheidswêreld as ’n
geheel beweeg tans ál meer weg van
losstaande flieks, en in die rigting
van reekse en aanlyn stroomdienste,
het Bester verduidelik. Alhoewel die
versekering van befondsing dus meer
uitdagend word, meen Van Niekerk
dat daar ook nuwe verspreidingsopsies
vir projekte beskikbaar is, en dat
innovering in hierdie opsig ’n fokusarea
behoort te wees.
An artwork by Stephen Langa, a student at Artist Proof Studio,
Bester meen dat die publiek se
that was showcased in the Student Collection. The goal of the
insette belangriker as ooit is vir die toe-
initiative was to show how the pandemic has affected individuals,
koms. “As hulle wil hê dat [die bedryf]
according to Langa. llustration: Supplied/Stephen Langa
moet voortbestaan [...] dan moet hulle
Grafika: Anri Matthee dit ondersteun,” het hy gesê.
LIP
10
CHERISH: the study for children affected
but uninfected by HIV
co-authored article by Slogrove from
James Cameron Heron Lancet Global Health.
There are an estimated
A quarter of
our children are
A
14.8 million children worldwide
n ongoing study at who are HEU. Of that population,
Stellenbosch University 3.5 million reside in South Africa, HIV exposed and
(SU) is seeking to find revealed the 2019 modelling study.
answers to immunity problems Slogrove told LIP that, “a quarter of uninfected.
experienced by children affected
but uninfected by HIV.
our children are HIV exposed and A quarter of the
uninfected. A quarter of the world's
This was according to Professor population of these orphan children world’s population
Amy Slogrove, paediatrician and are in South Africa.”
epidemiologist in the department of These children do not get infections of these children are
paediatrics and child health at SU. more often than a child unexposed
The study, Children HIV Exposed and uninfected, but they do
in South Africa
Uninfected Research to Inform experience them more severely.
Survival and Health (CHERISH), “They more often need to be
was sparked almost a decade ago by hospitalised, and would more often
specialists from Tygerberg Hospital die from the infections compared to care and support for them.
that started to recognise that some a child born to a mom without HIV,” Without any care or support,
children appeared to carry similar said Slogrove. “children are sometimes neglected
opportunistic infections of an HIV The study aims to help a population because of their mother dying with
positive child, but tested negative, of children who have been neglected HIV”, said Leroy Legolie, a clinical
explained Slogrove. Professor Amy Slogrove, head researcher of the CHERISH study. nurse practitioner from De Doorns
by the public, according to Slogrove.
“The only thing that they could Photo: Supplied/Amy Slogrove HIV clinic at SU's Worcester Campus.
When the prevention of HIV
find or name was that they [the infection was discovered, the success “The responsibility of the
uninfected children] were born seemed to blind people from other THE ROLE CHERISH PLAYS have her partner leave her, and both child often falls upon the next
to moms with HIV. That was the effects, she added. Along with gathering research of those have a huge impact on child of kin which is sometimes the
difference,” said Slogrove. “There was a kind of ‘head in the about, and raising awareness for development,” said Tomlinson. grandparents or the uncles and
sand ostrich mentality’ amongst the children who are HEU, CHERISH “Trying to find ways to aunts,” Legolie continued.
UNINFECTED... BUT EXPOSED global community thinking that this attempts to highlight all the issues communicate effectively to bring Whilst stating the importance of
The study focuses on children who research was making a mountain out surrounding the relationship attention to this is a huge thing,” said CHERISH and HIV-related studies,
are HIV-exposed and uninfected of a molehill, and that there is nothing between HIV, the infected, and the Tomlinson about the responsibilities Legoli said that “health education
(HEU). Working from data collected going on with these kids,” Slogrove uninfected, according to Professor of CHERISH. and emotional support is the most
from a modelling study between told LIP. Mark Tomlinson, director of the Educating people about the important thing when dealing with
2000 and 2018, Slogrove and her Since the establishment of institute for life course health importance of being HIV positive women who have HIV but their
colleagues “established the first CHERISH, the HIV community has research in the department of global and taking antiretrovirals to prevent children are negative”, said Legolie.
global estimates of the population slowly accepted that these uninfected health at SU. transmission to babies is particularly "You need to advise, you need
of children who are HEU (0-14 children are also encountering “It is trying to get a picture of all important, according to Tomlinson. to educate, you need to work and
years) and the geographical and problems and are needing attention, the issues. For example; a woman Raising awareness for HEU understand the importance of HIV-
temporal trends in HIV high- said Slogrove in a SU article about the who is HIV positive is more likely children and their families is related illnesses and keeping the
burden countries”, according to a relevance of the study. to experience stigma, more likely to equally as important as supplying child negative,” he added.
Thrifting industry flips consumer ethics
Sibulela Bolarinwa impact, according to Raquel
Nicola Spingies Theron, BA fashion student at the
Future Excellence Design Institute
South Africa (FEDISA).
The Covid-19 pandemic has likely As thrifting gains more popularity,
turned people into more ethical people need to consider “how much
consumers, by making them use they will get out of a piece of
reconsider where and how they clothing” so that it doesn’t become a
acquire various products, including wasteful practice, Setai added.
clothing items. This is according to However, sustainability entails
a BBC News article published in more than just sourcing clothes
January 2021. ethically, said Nerine Visser,
But Leah Setai, co-owner of a owner of @gotitfrommymama
Stellenbosch-based online thrift online thrift store.
store, @tamai.thrifts, thinks that “[Sustainability] is also part of
sustainability was already a “hot fair trade. Fair trade ensures that
topic” before the onset of Covid-19. your business is profitable, that
Sustainable fashion plays a big part the items are affordable for [your
in the ethical engagement with customer], and that you do not
clothing, which mostly originated overcharge for the quality of the
from thrifting, Setai told LIP. product either,” said Visser.
“[Thrifting] aims to reduce the At this stage, sustainable
waste that disposed clothing creates,” fashion practices are unlikely to
therefore making it a sustainable trump the fast fashion market,
practice, said Setai. Consequently, but at least there are strides
the lower the demand for unethically being made towards more
With the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, outdoor thrift markets have returned. mass-produced clothing items, the environmentally friendly means
Photo: Sibulela Bolarinwa greater the positive environmental of production, said Setai.
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