OLIVE TREE AMPLIFIERS: THE NEW SOCIETY AT THE NWU 

Abygail Smit

@Abysmit06

 

Forming part of something bigger than yourself is a goal that most young people strive for. Here at the North-West University (NWU), the opportunity to form part of societies, groups or gatherings is fully accessible and can stretch to various topics and beliefs. 

 

The Olive Tree Amplifiers (OTA) are a rights advocate association that strives to educate students and create awareness about the war between Israel and Palestine. OTA is of the belief that Israel practices genocide against Palestine and supports the Free Palestine movement. 

 

Starting in 2025 by leader Mohammed Patel, the OTA has accumulated seven executive members with different cultural backgrounds and has a social media following of 131 people. Although the numbers might seem small, it is impressive what the OTA members have brought to light on certain topics and innovations.

 

Patel explained, “I started this society to create awareness and educate people on what is happening in Palestina and Isreal.” One innovation is an app called No Thanks. The No Thanks app, according to the Bash website, is an app that helps users make intentional shopping choices by identifying products linked to boycott movements. It works by scanning the barcode or entering the serial number of the product into the app, which then informs you whether the product is on any boycott list. 

 

OTA uses this app to intentionally boycott products or producers who have ties to Isreal. Technology like this is very innovative and can be used for many different reasons. This proves that societies are not only important for representation but also for introducing innovative and interesting technologies that can help students stay informed. The OTA also has regular book readings, where their members read historical books and discuss them together, as well as documentary nights, where members get together to watch documentaries. 

 

The OTA will be hosting an interactive protest talk. According to Patel, the OTA will discuss whether they want to host and attend protests and how they should conduct themselves when attending. Patel also compared the works of other societies at different universities to the works of the NWU, stating that his goal is to create an interactive group where even lecturers can form part and participate in activities. For example, according to the TUKS website, there are over 100 societies listed as registered, having various topics such as politics, religion, social issues and academics. 

 

The OTA is registered at North-West University (NWU) as a rights advocate society. This means the correct processes and hierarchy are followed when a poster is put up, a meeting is held or when a stall is set up. The OTA must submit their project plans before certain deadlines and stamp their posters before displaying them on campus, just like all societies. These processes can reassure us that no registered society is given free rein to do what they want and that there are rules in place to ensure that there is order. 

 

The OTA is another example of ‘if you can dream it, you can do it’. Especially here at NWU, where you have the opportunity to create awareness and educate your fellow students of different beliefs. It is an example of how societies, no matter how different, can introduce interesting technologies and insights, which may help you one day. 

 

The first introduction meeting (Source: Mohammed Patel).

 

OTA Meet and Greet (Source: Mohammed Patel).

 

Stall Day (Source: Mohammed Patel).

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers