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The return of InterVarsity

The Oppidan Press The Oppidan Press

Edition 6, 28 August 2012 Edition 6, 28 August 2012

SRC 2013 elections fail to reach quorum


WIN! Z&G tickets

TEDx 15 RhodesU success 5

News

The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

By Kyla Hazell and Alexandra Maggs

Feeling festive: Rhodents donned their overalls and packed the stands on Great Field while passionately supporting the first team rugby match between Rhodes and WSU. Picture: MICHelle CUNlIFFe

Mascot held up for ransom


By Canny Maphanga Radio personality and popular DJ, Roger Goode, caused quite a stir amongst Rhodes University students, when he kidnapped our beloved rat mascot, Rhodie. DJ Roger Goode was included in this years Inter-Varsity after party line-up for Saturday Night. Little did celebrating students know that when he left Grahamstown, he did so with our precious mascot in tow. Brad Bense, the 2012 SRC Media Councillor, admitted that the SRC only realised the mascot was missing once Goode had left the Great Field on Saturday night. Adding an element of intrigue to an otherwise ordinary morning, Goode posted a ransom video on Monday 20 August. The video, which presented Goode, disguised in a scarf and glasses and holding a knife to the neck of our mascot, went viral on Facebook and Twitter. Goode threatened, stating that if the University ever wanted to see its mascot again, they would need to tune into his radio show that night. Goode updated students throughout the day, going as far as to post a photo of his having a nap with Rhodie on Twitter. Attempting to ensure the mascots safe return, a number of students participated in the radio show. One student called in and offered the

arlier last week, Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk, announced that Inter-Varsity will most likely not be cancelled due to the scarce number of complaints filed and incidents reported against Rhodes students. She confirmed that this still needs to be officially approved by the Inter-Varsity task force, but expressed her confidence in the likelihood of the events continuation. Extra precautions were taken this year in an attempt to control the unruly behavior that is associated with the annual Inter-Varsity event, hosted this year in Grahamstown. According to various parties concerned with security and behaviour, it seems these additional measures were mostly successful. I believe all of the measures certainly had the desired effect, said De Klerk, who received fewer complaints following the event this year than previous Inter-Varsity weekends. De Klerk believed the success can be credited to the many warnings distributed by the university administration. They [the warnings] dampened the madness, she said. Dave Charteris, Manager of the Campus Protection Unit (CPU), agreed with De Klerk that the precautions taken were effective. Although Charteris said CPU guards did have their hands full with assaults, drunkenness, fighting and vandalism, De Klerk said she does not regard any of the incidents that were reported to her as serious. Captain Mali Govender, media spokesperson for the Grahamstown South African Police Service (SAPS), echoed the sentiment that the weekend went well overall. We realise that these are young people, they are students, some of them are a bit inebriated, but overall they were not so unruly, she said. Govender said she believed that the additional officers on duty over the weekend helped to control the crowds, as Grahamstown was flooded with thousands of visitors. She confirmed that a few cases of damage to property, drunken and disorderly behaviour, and shoplifting were reported, but said that there were no serious or life-threatening cases.

The conduct was definitely improved if the number of emergency visits to the healthcare centre are anything to go by
- Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk

Deon Strydom, Manager of local petrol station BP, however, disagreed, saying that his experience of the students conduct was upsetting. Six instances of shoplifting took place over the weekend at the BP 24-hour Quickspar. Strydom does not believe students can blame drunkenness for their behaviour in this regard. Whether or not you are drunk, when you walk into a shop you know that you have to pay, he said. Strydom did say that less fighting took place outside of BP this year than in previous years. Elsewhere in town, however, it seems that fighting was still a problem. Charteris confirmed that there were a number of fights between students on campus and that the prevalence of fighting was significantly greater than on an ordinary weekend. He was unable to say how the fighting compared to Inter-Varsity in previous years. According to Charteris, the names of those involved were recorded and have been sent to the visiting universities administrations and are to be dealt with internally. Although Strydom and Govender both agreed that no university was particularly responsible for bad behaviour, De Klerk said that many of the incidents reported did not involve Rhodes students. Those that did involve our students were not serious. They will be dealt with in due course, she said. Maurishia Jewell, cashier at the Vineyard Bottle Store, said she found Rhodes students to be far more disciplined than others, both in the shop and in town. The conduct was definitely improved if the low number of complaints and the number of emergency visits to the Health Care Centre are anything to go by, said De Klerk.

SRC says afterparty ticket sales covered costs


By Carey Frazer Picture: MICHelle CUNlIFFe Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk, as ransom. However, fellow 5fm DJ Angie Khumalo, suggested that a donation be made to charity instead. Agreeing to these terms, Bense annoucned the SRCs decision to donate the money to the Grahamstown SPCA. The SPCA was vandalised over the Inter-Varsity weekend; with their office being trashed and painted, money being stolen from the safe and all computer hardware being damaged, said Bense, I have approached Rhodes IT division and Sports administration for assistance in terms of renovations and donations. Sources confirmed that Rhodie has been safely returned and spent Saturday night at the Rat & Parrot. Despite concerns being raised about the cost of this years Inter-Varsity after-party, according to the Student Representative Council (SRC), the massive event held on the Great Field on the Saturday of Inter-Varsity, managed to make a profit off ticket sales, however were unable to supply exact figures. Speaking to the SRC vice-president internal, Martin Forsyth, in the lead up to the weekend, he said money for the event was allocated from the total SRC budget grant allocation for the year. With all the expenses incurred, the SRC hoped to at least cover some of the many costs of the event. It was hoped that enough money would be recovered to invest back into more worthwhile student projects. Included in the list of expenses for the event was security, fencing which enclosed the area for the after-party, food, the hiring of toilet facilities, and entertainment, which included the likes of Jack Parow, DJ Milkshake, Lulo Caf, and Roger Goode. Forsyth explained that the SRC had managed to spare expenses. The SRC is saving money by not outsourcing the event to an events organiser, instead opting to establish a task team to manage and co-ordinate the event. The

SRC budgeted well for the 2012 Inter-Varsity after-party. Picture: Holly SNell team consisted of Forsyth, Rory Abrahams, SRC projects manager, Bradley Bense, SRC media councillor, and other student volunteers with experience in events organising. Forsyth said the SRC felt it was necessary to provide an event for students from the four participating universities, that was on-campus, safe, and in a controlled environment. Rhodes student, Lesego Moshikaro, said she thought the event was a success. I thoroughly enjoyed the after-party, the SRC did a great job but I feel they could have asked different artists. Lulo Caf and DJ Milkshake are regulars. [With the] SRC hosting the after party, we created a safe environment for all the students to celebrate and party together, commented Silvanus Welcome, vice-president external.

Few official complaints leaves door open for Inter-Varsity 2013

SRC fails to reach quorum again


By Stuart Thembisile Lewis

News

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he election for the 2013 Student Representative Council (SRC), held last Monday 20 August, failed to reach quorum, despite high hopes that participation this year would be better than ever. Polling stations on the day were situated in every dining hall and in the library quad. These were monitored by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the same body that runs the South African national, provincial and local elections. SRC vice-president internal Martin Forsyth expressed his hopes on the morning of the election that these arrangements would make voting convenient for students and lead to the election being taken more seriously. These hopes, however, proved to be misguided, as it was announced the day after the election that quorum had not been reached. The SRC Student Governance Constitution requires that a minimum of one third of registered, full-time students must participate in an election for quorum to be declared. The constitution also demands that, if quorum is not met, another election must be held. This election must happen before the third last day of the third term. By way of announcement on the Rhodes SRC Facebook group, SRC liaison and electoral officer Eric Ofei released the new election schedule. Nominations opened on 21 August and closed on 28 August. The Grazzle will take place at the General Lecture Theatre on Monday 3 September and the Presidential Debate will be at Eden Grove Blue on Tuesday 4 September. Both will begin at 18:30. The election itself will be held from 7:00 on Wednesday 5 September until 12:00 the following day. Those elected will be inducted in a ceremony that evening, which will be followed by a cocktail event. Ofei confirmed that employing and paying for the accommodation of the IEC officials, who ran the first election, cost

the Rhodes SRC R15 000. However, Ofei explained that during their stay, the IEC trained electoral volunteers who will be used to run the upcoming elections, avoiding another expense. The lack of participation in the election came as a surprise to many on the SRC, as the Grazzle and Presidential Debate this term were better attended than previous years and both events trended nationally on Twitter. Many students, however, seem to have expected this result. The inability to reach quorum has been blamed on the short election period, apathy amongst students regarding the SRC and the calibre of candidates, specifically those running for President. The heated online debate about these issues has been waged across numerous social networks. I dont think we can point to any one decisive reason for quorum not being reached, said Forsyth, indicating that a number of factors were likely to have contributed to the lack of participation in the last election. Among these is a general lack of communication. Although the SRC did conduct dining hall visits leading up to the election, Forsyth believes that these failed to engage students and thinks that more hype needed to be created through posters and e-mails. Forsyth continued to note that the substantial changes made to the election process might have been a contributing factor. This year we moved from the online system that has been used for years, to ballot, reduced the voting period from a week to one day and required students to have their student card to vote, Forsyth explained. He believes that these changes were not properly communicated to the student body. SRC media councillor Bradley Bense agreed that publicity was a problem in the last election. He said that with Inter-Varsity immediately preceding the election, the SRC had been unable to focus their attention on creating hype around the vote. He hopes to improve upon this for next weeks election. Finally, Forsyth said that an open letter to the Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk, written by the chair of the Presidential Debate

I dont think we can point to any one decisive reason for quorum not being reached
- Martin Forsyth, SRC vice-president internal

Dylan Smith and published on The Oppidan Press Online, led many students to boycott the election. In the letter, Smith expressed his opinion that the candidates running were not ready to assume the responsibilities of office. This was after many had left the debate feeling disheartened by the candidates apparent lack of knowledge and preparation. In light of the negative response to the Presidential Debate, Ofei has suggested that the event be restructured. Candidates will be informed of the topics to be debated in advance and so will be better prepared. Ofei believes candidates in the last debate were blindsided and that this opened them up to a criticism that was perhaps undue. Forsyth, however, said that the candidates had received information about the topics to be discussed prior to the debate. Nominations have already started to come in. On Thursday of last week, Ofei noted that five of the 10 forms received were from candidates that had not run in the previous election. According to Bense, a post-nomination seminar will be held at which nominees will be given assistance and advice on how best to campaign up until the election next week. To read the letter from Smith, visit www.oppidanpress.com

Store, ciplined

Local schools face the education crisis head-on


consequences of this situation. It is no exaggeration to say that as a result of what, on the respondents own admission, is a crisis of immense and worrying proportions, the right to basic education of those who attend public schools in the Eastern Cape Province is affected or threatened, he said. It is known that the National Department of Basic Education earlier this year assumed the responsibilities of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in terms of Section 100(1)(b) of the Constitution. This section mandates the national government to bring a provincial department temporarily under its administration where such a provincial department cannot or does not fulfill its executive obligations. At the center of the Eastern Cape administrations failure to fulfill its obligations has been inadequate post provisioning in public schools. This problem has continued for over a decade and has left certain schools with a surplus of teachers while other schools are stuck with vacant posts. In a judgment which detailed the many ways in which a lack of adequate teaching and support staff undermines the ability of a school to fulfill its primary function, Judge Plaskett found in favour of the schools and made several orders in relation to the respondents. Significantly, the court has ordered that the respondents fill all vacant educator positions by no later than the 2 November 2012. It is also required that the salaries of all the yet-to-be-paid temporary teachers be paid in full by the 2 September. According to Sarah Septon of the LRC, 900 teachers across the province would have received their outstanding salaries by the close of business on Friday. Septon said that the LRC was happy with the order of the court. Daniella Favis, chair of Rhodes society Inkwenkwezi, said that the teaching crisis this year has not greatly affected their work in literacy as all resources are provided by the society. We were aware of some of the problems, but regrettably never discussed any means of assistance, said Favis. We probably should have had more serious discussions about it.

number By Kyla Hazell to the Klerk. A group of local Grahamstown public schools have recently taken on the Department of Basic Education in the High Court over issues related to the Eastern Cape teaching crisis and won. A few weeks ago, passers-by were surprised to see disgruntled parents and teachers vocally expressing their concerns in a demonstration outside the Eastern Cape High Court. Inside, judgment was being heard in a matter between several schools, represented by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), and the Minister of Basic Education as first respondent. According to Philip Isaacs, a parent in the group of demonstrators, the minister was considered responsible for denying Grahamstown children their right to basic education, considering that many teaching posts in public schools have stood vacant for much of the year and that temporary er-party. teachers employed have not been paid. Judge Clive Plaskett, who presided in the case, emphasised in his judgment the rojects nd other nising. vide an versities, ronment. ught the r-party, sked difulars. ted a nd party sident

Concerned parents and teachers protest outside the High Court, against the alleged failures of the Minister of Basic education. Picture: Kyla Hazell

>>TEDx
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28 August 2012

The Oppidan Press

News

The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

TEDxRhodesU a smashing success


By Stuart Thembisile Lewis and Kyla Hazell

Ill have the stolen pie, please


Serious implications for theft affect students career prospects
By Chelsea Farrelly Its three oclock in the morning and youve just stumbled out of the Rat and Parrot. You head to the BP. A pie and Steri Stumpie are on the agenda, but once you get there, the line to pay is incredibly long. In the time it takes you to walk to the back of the queue, youve already devoured the pie and inhaled your milkshake. You think to yourself, why not carry on walking, no one is going to notice? BP and Pick n Pay would disagree, however. You will be seen and whats more, they will press charges. With the increase in student thefts, both stores have taken a strong no tolerance policy and work hand-in-hand with Hi Tec Security who will, in turn, hand you over to the police. Over the last five years, student theft has increased to such a point that both stores have been forced to upgrade their security systems and now have cameras covering every angle of their stores. So why are students stealing? A BP representative said that it ties in with Rhodes vigorous drinking culture. He said that the only times he has problems with students is when they are drunk. Students will try sneak things out of the store or merely eat the food there, believing that no one is going to see them. In a similar incident, one drunk student walked out of BP with an unpaid-for food item during his first week at Rhodes. When he was stopped at the door, he confessed his mistake but his offer to pay for the item was refused, and he was arrested. The police came and detained me for like 24 hours and they didnt give me a phone call or anything like that. And I mean you are in there with a whole bunch of dodgy people, he explained. Following the incident itself, a lengthy legal process began. With appeals to have the charges dropped and applications for community service being denied, it has spanned over a year. If worst comes to worst, then I will get a criminal record. The thing is that you get a criminal record for the rest of your life and when you are applying for jobs and stuff it just says theft and it doesnt look good. Its quite a serious thing, he said, Especially

The thing is that you get a criminal record for the rest of your life and when you are applying for jobs and stuff it just says theft and it doesnt look good
- Anonymous

since, with my job, I will need to travel a lot. Pick n Pay deals with more extreme versions of student theft and for more varied reasons. Their representative says that in some cases, students cant afford groceries and toiletries and in one case they caught a student who was at Rhodes with the help of bursaries, but had no way to feed himself and was desperate. More often than not, when students are caught, they will find them with a wallet filled with money and an arrogant attitude, said Gavin Stobbs of Hi Tec Security. He said that its mostly first and second year students that he has to deal with. Moreover, this is apparent in frequent cases of vindictive vandalism. Earlier in the year he had caught two different students vandalising cars and in both cases he was told, Do you know who my parents are? He responded that he did not, nor did he care. Some might argue that its just a bit of innocent fun, but as one fifth-year law student found out last year, it can be the end of a promising career. Stobbs noted how BP called out his team when they noticed a pie eaten and its packaging left behind, on the surveillance footage. The culprit identified, he was found in Pick n Pay, about to repeat the offense. He was reportedly found with over R500 in his wallet. Charges where pressed. That law student now has a criminal record.

illions of people worldwide have been captured by TED Talk videos online and on Sunday 12 August 100 lucky people were able to attend a TED conference of their own at the Rhodes University Theatre. TEDx, in which x stands for an independently organised TED event, is a program that allows individuals and organisations around the world to set up and run their own conference in keeping with the TED motto: Ideas worth spreading. Rhodes student Tyron Louw, after finding out about this program, decided to bring the big three, Technology, Education, Design, to Grahamstown and create TEDxRhodesU. The result, exactly a year later, was a diverse and engaging event centred on the theme Africa Inspired an idea which Louw described as broad enough to encompass ideas from any discipline, but focused enough to have a core message. With discussion topics ranging from theatre to technology to entrepreneurship presented by a variety of speakers, TEDxRhodesU painted a picture of an Africa worth living in. Talks were split up into four

sections: Think, Know, Feel and Do. In between sessions, attendees and speakers were able to meet and converse with one another. Louw was pleased with the level of participation. From the conversations I have had I really do think that they [the audience] bought into it, he said. Each persons name tag had a space for its wearer to record what inspires them and attendees were offered an opportunity to share their musings on boards placed around the room entitled What if? and I wonder A huge amount of work was put in by Louw and the TEDxRhodesU team to ensure the event ran smoothly. The organising committee met once a week from early February, and we set up a project plan with objectives and time frames. There was a great deal of effort spent meticulously planning every aspect of the event, Louw said. The biggest challenge, according to Louw, was getting financial backing and organisers were forced to continuously restructure their budget to account for this. As a student committee, it was sometimes difficult to get outside companies to take what we were doing seriously. I hope that this years event will show that we were capable, Louw said. The overwhelmingly positive response to TEDxRhodesU from speakers and attendees alike has convinced Louw that the event must happen again next year. Once the dust

Participants in this years TedxRhodesU found it a resounding success. Picture: meliTe vivieR has settled on this years event, I will sit and outline the plans for next year. There is no reason why this should not be an annual event and my vision is that it becomes the flagship university TEDx event in South Africa. It was really great to see a project like this grow from a simple idea to a full vision and then to see that vision realised in the form of a successful event, he added. I think my favourite part of this process was being able to work closely with speakers in developing their ideas you get to understand so much more about these inspiring people. Louw said that the most important part of organising TEDxRhodesU was collaboration. Anyone hoping to organise a successful TEDx event needs to get buy-in from as many parties as possible, he added. Applications for those who would like to be part of next years team will be up online soon. The event ended with a reception at The Highlander, where arguments and conversations continued well into the night.

28 August 2012

Features

The Oppidan Press

SPCA trashed over Inter-Varsity weekend

By Emily Corke

as dded. uld like ill be up

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mid the festivities of InterVarsity, Saturday 18 August turned out to be a bad night for the animals and employees of the SPCA, as they were robbed and their premises vandalised. Wow, who trashes the SPCA, man? said a shocked student Fred Gatari, upon hearing the news. It is reported that despite damage made to the premises, the animals were fortunately left unharmed. Trainee inspector Maloli Dingang,

who lives on the premises, first noticed something was amiss on Sunday morning. He noticed that the lock for the main office had been hammered from the wall. They really came prepared, said Karen Kouari, a committee member for the Grahamstown SPCA and a member of the Humanities faculty. The suspects managed to walk off with an entire safe with R6000 in it, a devastating loss for the NGO. They had literally unbolted it from the wall and walked out the door, said Kouari. They were at least polite enough to put the bolts back on the wall.

This is a devastating loss for the Grahamstown SPCA who is heavily relied on to solve various issues, such as the large amount of stray dogs. The SPCA speculated that this was purely a vindictive case of vandalism. The walls and store room door were spray painted with the words why do you hate us? It has been suggested that the perpetrators may have had prior experience inside the SPCA, as they knew what equipment they were dealing with. I can only speculate, said Kouari, We have a feeling that it could have been the act of an angry stock owner, that had to pay to get their cattle back

from the SPCA when they are caught roaming the town. Kouari went on to note that these same people have been aggressive before. The public have really been great in coming forward to help us out of the mess, said Kouari. We have had so many donations in all forms, from monetary donations to paint to cover the spray paint. The Rhodes IT department have agreed to donate computers to replace those that were smashed. Telkom also made a contribution. They reconnected the office phones by the Monday morning. The SRC, together with 5fm DJ

Roger Goode, are also working to make a contribution. The SRC is approaching various university departments and asking for donations to pay for the Rhodes University mascots ransom. All proceeds are reportedly to go towards replacing the R6000 that was stolen. We are just very glad that the animals were safe, said Kouari, we left puppies in the surgery who were untouched. The office cat, Puty, is quite shaken up but he will be okay.

Picture: KIRSTEN MAKIN

Low Accounting pass rate causes serious distress


Poor examination marks have sparked concerns of inconsistency in teaching. Students question whether the benchmark has been placed too high.
By Carey Frazer understood, Williams says that extensive decisions and changes will not be made, although certain interventions have already been instituted. Hugh Harnett, senior lecturer of Taxation and Acting Head of the Department, agreed with Williams that the results are extremely concerning for the department and supports the investigation. This process of investigation is a detailed process which cannot be rushed and which needs to be thoroughly done, he said. Meanwhile, Accounting students are upset by the poor results. An Accounting 2 student, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of being penalised by the Department for her opinion, said: We can only blame the students for so much. Are they [the Department] saying that 73% of students didnt work hard? The student went on to say, They teach us different things in lectures and tests and then examine us on different questions. We dont even have classwork marks other than the two class tests, and the tutorials are not marked, which defeats the purpose of tutorials. In response to this, Accounting 2 lecturer Madyke Mokorosi said, Students should not take tutorials seriously only if they contribute towards class mark. The majority of those who performed well have indicated that they take their tutorial tasks very seriously. She added, I have just introduced mini objective tests to be taken during tutorials with the hope that they will contribute towards improved work ethic and hopefully improved passrates. Sally Grinham, also an Accounting 2 student, who achieved the highest mark in her year with 73%, stated that, We have two very extreme lecturers, one that explains the content thoroughly, and the other who focuses on the practical. Its a problem that they dont both have the middle ground as that is what you need. She went on to state that the paper was not overtly difficult and that she realised her faults. I thought it was a fair paper. I have looked through it again and again, and I saw where my mistake was. I hope everyone else can also see where their mistakes were, so they can learn from them

n investigation is currently under way following extraordinarily low June examination pass rates in both Accounting 2 and 3 this year. With only a 6% pass rate among the third years and a 28% pass rate in the second year class, Associate professor of Accounting John Williams said the results are cause for concern. Williams believes that the shocking results cannot simply be pinned on students not studying or even on administrative hiccups. There are a number of complex and interrelated reasons for the results, he said. The Accounting 3 results, which are significantly lower than previous years, have given rise to a full evaluation with the assistance of the Centre for Higher Education, Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL). This investigation into the results is aimed at obtaining a complete understanding of the reasons behind the poor performance. Until the investigation is complete and these reasons have been

Flames: Accounting 2 and 3 June exam results packed more of a punch than students had expected. Picture: HOLLY SNELL and pass come the next tests and exam, Grinham said. If you know the principles, you can break down any seemingly complex question into simple parts and answer those, she said. According to Williams, in an attempt to fix the problem, the Department has reinstated the Accounting 201 summer school programme. Williams believes that the pass rate is a problem at many other universities, too. Yes I am aware of other universities having very poor pass rates, particularly at accounting 3. But I am not aware of such poor results occurring at Rhodes before, although Accounting 201 has often had low pass rates, he said.

Features
By Jordan du Toit Environment

The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

Walking/running/ skating for change


For every three kilometres you drive by car, one kilogram of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. This shocking statistic is what is fuelling the Green Route walk/run/skate event happening in Grahamstown on 1 September. Global climate change is threatening humanity. Cockroaches will still be here long after were gone. People need to understand that we need to be working to preserve humanity, says event coordinator Ed Hazell. The event is part of the EARTH set of initiatives set up by Hazell and his team involved in RU green. They will focus on energy, art, recycling, transport and home initiatives all designed to contribute to a greener earth by 2015. The events posters have been made on a shoestring budget with the total budget amounting to R100. Each poster has been personalised by a different artist and can be seen up around campus. One even includes King Kong attacking planes from the Rhodes clock tower. Hazell cannot express his enthusiasm enough for the project: The goal is for people to travel their own neighbourhood, he said. His sights are set far beyond one event though. Hazell hopes to one day set up a permanent green route in Grahamstown. This will be specifically for people using alternative and eco-friendly means of transport. Grahamstown is the perfect model to set up as a sustainable city. Other places could then learn from us, elaborates Hazell. Anyone can enter the Green Route event. Tickets will be on sale for R10 at the Drostdy Arch, the Union and the Rhodes Kaif. Hazell would not divulge details but apparently participants are in for an unexpected treat when they pick up their ticket. People can walk, run or skateboard/longboard depending on how they feel. After the Green Route event, there will be a green poster design competition. The posters will be expected to encourage residents to use eco-friendly transport all on recycled materials of course!

Bridging the wireless divide


A
By Ashleigh Brown

professor Alfredo Terzoli, Head of Telkom Centre of excellence at rhodes. He is the face behind iCT4d, information and Communication Technology picture: dAvid HArdiNG

s communication technology is becoming more prevalent in todays society, some communities are being left behind in its wake. That is where the Information and Communication Technology for ging tha Development - better known as ICT4D - comes into play. In thi ICT4D is an initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide blindsid students between the have and have-nots. However, that is not its only aim: it also looks at aiding economic development by were mu The q ensuring access to communication technologies, especially evening in rural areas where access to the technology is not easy. ICTs include any communication device - radio, TVs, cell- campus phones, computers, etc. The man behind the ICT4D project is Professor Alfredo Terzoli. Terzoli is head of the Telkom Centre of Excellence at Rhodes and was recently awarded the vice chancellors distinguished community engagement award. Through ICT4D, Terzoli believes that the number of people with ideas and aspirations could be increased. Through this, employment can be created for the people, boosting the rural communities of not only Grahamstown, but the wider Eastern Cape too. Terzoli was born in Italy, and studied Physics at university, graduating Laurea Cum Laude. He became fascinated with computers in the early 1980s and, after immigrating to South Africa, joined the academic staff of Rhodes University in 1989. Terzoli has always been passionate about the development of the Grahamstown community. As a result of his passion, he used to host street children in his home. As an academic, Terzoli began to extend his research into the townships surrounding Grahamstown. Later, he extended his research even further into other rural areas of the Eastern Cape, which eventually resulted in the Siyakhula Living Lab. The Siyakhula Living Labs (SLL), in Dwesa on the wild coast, are places where telecommunications networks are set up for the publics use. Mostly SLL are set up in schools, allowing school children to have access to the internet. Terzoli defines a living lab as, a place in which to develop concepts, services and products in a systemic way, co-opting the users as co-creators. Terzoli describes the Lab as an eco-system, the focus of which is community orientated. He speaks of his hope for a future where marginalised and disadvantaged communities are re-connected through practical, co-created ICT software applications. Terzoli anticipates that many more projects, like the Siyakhula Living Labs, will join up with ICTs across the country.

Relaunch of UDF angers old guard


By Stuart Thembisile Lewis Politics Made up of nearly 400 different politically-active organisations and a haven for members of banned political organisations such as the ANC, the United Democratic Front (UDF) was formed on 20 August 1983 and disbanded seven years later. Now, on the anniversary of its founding, Cape Town activist and Proud Manenberg chairman Mario Wanza has relaunched the organisation despite heavy protests from former UDF heavyweights and the threat of legal action. At the Rocklands Civic Centre, Mitchells Plain, where the UDF was originally launched, just hours after ANC provincial leaders had attended a wreath-laying ceremony, Wanza addressed a crowd of around 200 people wearing UDF t-shirts. Wanza and seven others had marched from Parliament to Mitchells Plain before the rally. In an open letter, Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and other high-ranking former UDF members condemned Wanzas attempt to reform the organisation they had dissolved in 1990. They labelled Wanza an opportunist and said no individual has the right to relaunch an entity, whose leadership at the time took a democratic decision to dissolve and adding that they sought legal advice on the matter. Interestingly, another former UDF heavyweight and current COPE President Mosiuoa Lekota responded to his former colleagues in another open letter on Politicsweb asking: Why would we want to deny South Africans the right of forming a front to tackle what in their view is an evil inimical to the interests of society? Lekota added that he did not object to any of the contents of their letter but did not feel inspired to add his name to it. Wanza stated that he wished to return to the values of the Freedom Charter, a document of which both the UDF and ANC were signatories, as the values held therein had not been implemented in South Africa. Wanza is an ex-ANC member. He was kicked out of the party for standing in local government elections as an independent candidate for mayor in Manenberg last year. He was also in the press during Occupy Rondebosch Common when he was arrested en route to the protest. The UDF has never been a political party, as Villiersdorp Civic Association (VCA) chairman Simon Mckenzie stressed to the Cape Times. Mckenzie also said: We do not want to take on any political party, we want to take our communities out of the grip of poverty. The VCA is one of the civil society movements, like Proudly Manenberg, that have bought into the new UDF. Time will only tell what the future holds for the new UDF, but nevertheless, South Africa and its citizens will be watching.

Top leFT: Cape delegates arriving at conference. Middle leFT: Archie Gumede being congratulated by Natal delegates on being elected first vice-president of the UdF. BoTToM leFT: Curtis Nkondo, Transvaal delegate, chatting to Joe Marx and a Western Cape delegate. Top: Helen Joseph at conference. picture: SoUTH AFriCAN HiSTory oNliNe

28 August 2012

Features

The Oppidan Press

Students targeted while en route to evening services

By Canny Maphanga

n the morning of 30 July, St Marys Hall students were woken by another saddening e-mail in connection with crime off-campus. The e-mail alerted students to a mugging that had occurred the previous Sunday night. In this particular case it seemed the students involved were blindsided by criminals posing as car guards. The two St Mary Hall students were walking back from an evening church service and were mugged at knife point. The question of safety for religious students looking to attend evening services is unfortunately not a new one. The walk between campus and church has become an easy preying ground for people

looking to take advantage of students passing by late at night. In response to a suggestion for CPU guards to help escort students to religious services, or otherwise arranging transport options for safe travel to town, Dean of Students Dr Vivian De Klerk said, That is not an option. We do not even have enough guards to cope on campus. Employing more would be costly and will impact directly on student fees. CPU must focus on our own campus. BA student Tamani Chitambo, as a result of crime no longer finds it as easy to walk to church. I guess it would be easier if there was a car-pooling system, she said. I know that the route I used to take to get to the River of Life Church was not desirable for any vulnerable student, unfortunately I cannot attend church as much as I would like to due to security issues.

Amy Harkess, also a BA student at St. Marys Hall shared similar sentiments: I had to simply adjust from evening services to daytime services in order to avoid crime in the Grahamstown area. These security issues have been debated at senior management levels. De Klerk added: The institutions view is that the police must take responsibility, and we must put pressure on them to do so. We have held a few high-level meetings with them recently, and will continue to work with them. Some churches have moved student services to campus making use of university lecture and seminar venues. Emphasis has also been placed on encouraging students to report all suspected crimes in town and on campus to the SAPS and CPU respectively in order to help curb criminal intentions.

Some tips about that cooking thing


Words and pictures by Stuart Thembisile Lewis and Kirsten Makin

arents worry about it. Students joke about it. Middle-aged businesspeople reminisce about it. But the truth is: cooking your own food at university sucks. First off, you have to buy the food. You are on a student budget and would much rather spend that money on beer. Then you have to give up some of your work and studying time (you know, that time of the day where you check the latest post on 9gag but tell everybody that youre working really hard) to cook the food. Once you have wasted at least an hour of cooking time, you wolf down your meal in 30 seconds flat. Then, of course, comes the worst part, what all students (and most adults) hate doing: washing up. Besides being messy and hard-todo, this chore also takes up a significant portion of all that time that you would normally spend working. Do not forget either that within the next hour, your students appetite will kick in and youll be on your way for take-aways. Below well attempt to show you how much easier that entire process can become.

Res students have it easy!


Students in res really dont have to stress about cooking. They get given three square meals a day and never have to worry about making their own food. Over and above that, they are not actually allowed to do any food preparation within res. Students are expressly prohibited from cooking in res. They cannot own a single appliance that could be used for food preparation with the exception of a kettle. This is done to prevent a careless undergraduate chef from setting their room, followed shortly by the rest of the building, on fire. Each residence is supplied with a microwave. This may only be used for reheating food, though most wardens and sub-wardens will ignore you making popcorn, especially if you offer them some. Most residences also have fridges where you can store food. You will probably want a padlockable container to put it in so a drunk fellow resident does not swipe it at 2 oclock in the morning.

Shop smart, shop cheap


Food is considerably costly. Even if you are surviving on only R500 a month, which is barely enough for anything, it is still entirely possible to feed yourself adequately. All you have to do is learn to shop smart. Start off by making a list of the bare minimum of items that you will need to cook. On a weekend or some time early in the term, do a little reconnaissance of stores around Grahamstown. Find out which stores sell what and for how much. Accept that you are not going to be able to afford the topof-the-range gourmet products. Focus on finding the cheapest prices of every item on your list. Write these down and keep them for all future shopping trips. Those cheap items on your list are the ones you should be buying. If you absolutely cannot settle for the cheapest food, try to find friends or digs mates to share your shopping (and by extension, your meals) with. It is almost always cheaper to buy in bulk, the same principle applies to cooking. We [my digs mates and I] manage to eat every meal for under R15 [per person], says Amy Richardson, a Masters student. If they can spend only R450 per person per month on food, so can you. Granted, this only leaves you with R50 for booze and condoms, but at least you are not starving to death.

Food you can (probably) get away with in res


Popcorn Two-minute noodles Soup Pre-cooked meals Salads Sandwiches Nothing very interesting at all

Features A students guide to banking


By Cory Smit Business

The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

Monthly fees:
The cheapest of the pack is Standard Bank with no monthly fee, followed by Capitec with R4.50. Absa charges R16.00, Nedbank costs R16.50 and FNB is the most expensive at R22.30.

s an 18 to 25 year-old, choosing the right people to keep your cash can be a daunting task. Our quick guide aims to make it a lot easier to find the cheapest student account available the various South African banks. South Africas Big Four (Absa, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank) and the smaller and newer, Capitec Bank, all offer basic current account packages designed for students. An issue that adds to the strife of students at Rhodes is the proximity of banks from campus. You can get away with using ATMs at the Union and Kaif for simple transactions such as airtime transfer and cash withdrawal, but when it comes to the more complex ones, a banker is required. The Union has FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank ATMs, while the Kaif has an Absa ATM. Capitec doesnt have any ATMs on campus so getting your cash from them could mean a bit of travel. To get to the actual branches, head down High Street. In order of distance from the Arch: FNB, Capitec, Absa, Standard then all the way past Bathurst Street is Nedbank. Looking purely at price and assuming that students live by the philosophy that cheaper is better this is how they fair up in different categories:

Withdrawal fees:
In terms of how much it costs to get your cash out of the banks mitts and into your wallet, fees vary from bank to bank. Also note that you should expect to be charged one fee to use your own banks ATMs and a different fee (usually higher) to use another banks ATM. In terms of own-bank ATM withdrawals, the cheapest are FNB, Nedbank and Absa, which are all free. Capitec charges R4.00 to get your money out. Standard Bank is a little more complicated as they have scaled withdrawal changes. The first five are free, then between 6 and 15 transactions are charged at R20.00, and more than that costs another R20.00. Sometimes its difficult to find an ATM that belongs to or is supported by your own bank. This usually means you have to withdraw from another banks ATM. FNB is the cheapest in this regard with a charge of R6.50 and an additional R6.00 per R500 (or 1.2%

of the amount, with a maximum fee of R24.00). Capitec is the next cheapest at a fixed rate of R7.00. However if you chose the Standard Bank option the fixed charge is only R6.70 but the additional charges that come with the scaled ATM cash withdrawal charges (as above) kick in. Nedbank charges R9.50 for your disloyalty with an additional 1.2% of the total withdrawn. Absa seems to take the cake when it comes to using non-Absa ATMs. When using an SA-Switch ATM they charge R9.85 and 1.1% but when using an Absa supported ATM they charge R6.85 and 1.1% of the total withdrawal. That's not the end of the story. When using an Absa supported ATM theres a convenience fee of R3.00 and when using an SA-Switch ATM it's R6.00.

moral here is to not get caught short because you end up paying a ransom for your own money.

Planes and past shenanigans


By Jordan du Toit Worldwide, students are known as innovative, fun-loving and thrill seeking. When it comes to having a good time, some even make media headlines. Past students have been reminiscing about the debaucheries of decades gone by. In 1976, one of the most unusual heists in Rhodes history occurred. A 21stbirthday was underway at the Golf Club. That same weekend, numerous parents came to town for the St Andrews Balloon weekend, one of which arrived in a restored double-wing Tiger Moth. The plane was parked at the airfield. One of the fellows at the party had some flying experience and was dared to borrow one of the planes, recalled John McConnachie, before getting airborne he managed to drop the undercarriage and ended up severely damaging the plane. The students father had to pay R50 000 in damages, double the cost of a years tuition and residence at that time. Quentin Hogge remembers another unusual heist gone awry. A group of students stole a herd of confiscated donkeys from the police station and drove them into the Great Hall during a play performance. An enraged colonel tried to give chase, but slipped and added himself to the mess, said Hogge. The inventive excuses given by students can rival the creativity of best-selling authors. Mike Ehrman remembers a RAG procession in the early 1980s where one guy ran onto the field during the RAG queens victory lap and pulled down her shorts. He claimed he had lost his contact lenses and in a blind daze, fell over and grabbed the first thing that looked like a safe support. Unfortunately, it was her pants, Ehrman explained, [I think] the fact that she was standing on top of a car, in a convertible or something similar, gave the game away. Despite their entertainment value, these antics also serve as a reminder of what not to do. The Heraldran a story in 1971, headlined: Student behaviour draws strong criticism. The story describes the barrage of criticism [which] has been levelled at some Rhodes students for their behaviour during Wednesdays Inter-Varsity rugby. In the article, an observer noted that sort of behaviour could create a pretty bad image for the University. The university still grapples with this issue today.

Mobile apps:
Being a student means that its difficult to schedule time out of your academic life to pay bills. This means that students need a way of doing banking on the go. Tech savvy lads and ladies will appreciate that this is where banking applications and online and mobile banking comes in handy. They save time and effort and in the long run, money. All five of the banks have cellphone banking but what sets them apart are their app services. FNB and Standard Bank have already got apps which are both available for Android, iPhone and Blackberry devices, but FNBs is also available for Nokia Symbian devices. Nedbank have launched their app suite to their staff, a promising sign that it could soon be available to the public. Absa has an app that allows users to open accounts remotely using Android based devices but Capitec hasnt quite got there yet. In the end cost is only one part of deciding which bank is best for keeping your money safe. This guide is only the tip of the iceberg but it should give you some idea of what type of service you need.

International charges:
As a sprightly young adult, you might find yourself abroad and quite possibly deeply out of pocket in said abroad place. One hefty source of bank charges comes from withdrawing cash from an international ATM. If this is a likely scenario for you, Nedbank is the cheapest at R28.00 plus 1.2% of the amount drawn, followed by Capitec which takes R35.00. FNB charges R28.00 and Absa costs R45.00. The

Ready for your career?


By Ashleigh Brown The Graduate Recruitment Programme is back this year with more interesting companies coming to strut their stuff and offer Rhodes students a place in the big world after university. This year, however, there will be more than just company displays, as skill-building workshops are also available. The Graduate Recruitment Programme has been running for more than 15 years, according to Sarah Green, manager of the Career Centre. The success of the programme is due to the highly valued Rhodes students, who are hard working and have a good work ethic, which the companies are looking for, she said. The Graduate Recruitment Programme is where the companies interview or get in touch with various candidates in order to potentially recruit them after graduation. In the past, it was held only in the third term. This year, however, the Programme has been running for the duration of the year. Throughout term one and two [the Counselling Centre] were offering CV writing workshops, interview preparation workshops and career success workshops, says Green. Various companies were also supposed to be hosting talks on what they can offer students. However, due to unforeseeable circumstances, a number of the talks that were scheduled will no longer take place. Green emphasised that the cancellations were not due to lack of student interest. [The cancellations] have all been due to reasons beyond the companies control last minute commitments that have arisen that have made it impossible for them to meet their commitment, she said. Green went on to add that, [the] three career fairs on campus were extremely well attended and companies are very impressed with the calibre of student and the job preparation that students are doing before they meet them at the Career Fair. One of the concerns of many students is what job opportunities there are for them with their specific degree. I am hoping to get clarity on what jobs I am actually able to do, says Jonis Ghedi Alasow, a Bachelor of Social Sciences student. There will still be workshops hosted by the Career Centre throughout the year: constructing a career, career success workshop, CV writing and interview skills workshop and the Cross-Rhodes junction. These various workshops are in place to help students cope with finding a career and making a success out of it with the various skills they have learnt along the way. Times and dates for the workshops can be found in the Graduate Recruitment Programme booklet. On the Rhodes website, there are numerous company portals where prospective students can sign up to learn about different companies, learn how to get in touch with them and how to better network themselves.

Students browse the various career displays at the Eden Grove during one of the many career presentations this year. Picture: davId hardInG

28 August 2012

Photos

The Oppidan Press

Step onto the Hogsback road


The labyrinth at Hogsback is just one of the many delights that await the curious traveller. Picture: kelly muller

knew that Hogsback lay somewhere over the mountains, nestled in and among thick green trees, almost in the elfin realm which Tolkien had envisioned for it. Once you come out of the winding slope of road, and burst through the greenery to the small town that lay there, nothing can really prepare you for Hogsback. The drive from Grahamstown to Hogsback took me about an hour and a half. Passing through all the small towns on the way gives you a sense of how the settlers would have lived. Time does not seem to disturb these places, and I cannot figure out if that is a bad or a good thing. Winding around the mountains, and ducking through valleys, I was soon confronted with a tunnel of trees. Passing underneath their bowing branches, the excitement of what lay just on the other side started to consume me. Hogsback is the epitome of a one-horse town. The tar road does not last for long, and just as it seems to have started, it gives way to the dirt. I stayed in a small self-catering cabin, just off the main road, called Camelot. There are dozens of them scattered all around the town. Come to think of it, basically the whole town consists of bed and breakfasts and self-catering places, so finding accommodation is

not a problem. The nice thing about Camelot was that I could park my car for the weekend and just walk where ever I needed to go. The cosy fireplace inside the cabin was a warm welcome at night. All around the weekend home were trees and bush, and the nightly calls of the forest animals echoed around the small building while the stars twinkled above. Hogsback is more than just a scenic hideaway. For those who like to fill their lungs with fresh mountain air, there are plenty of different walks and hikes to go on, ranging from beginner to advanced. However, be warned: even the easier paths require a few gym sessions in order to truly appreciate them. I managed to hike down to Madonna and Child, one of the many waterfalls in the area, and if I can do it, then anybody can. The rickety path way meandered down the slope of the hillside, giving way every now and again, making it impossible for my shoes not to be covered in mud. There were small streams along the way, where I could drink the cool refreshing water, and take a moment to gulp in as much fresh air as I could. No amount of filtered Oasis water could ever taste as good as that water did in those streams. When I finally reached the bottom, what awaited me was nothing I had ever seen before. The tall white

water came roaring over the top of the mountain, falling down into the rocky pool below. All around the pool were the soft distorted images of rainbows, while birds and butterflies a like darted in and out of the fresh mist which came from the waterfall. If hiking up mountains, and cladding yourself in layers of mud is not your thing, then thankfully there are other activities on offer. Up some of the dirt roads are nurseries, labyrinths, horseback trails and perfect picnic spots. A Saturday market is also available, where you can enjoy freshly made pancakes and a cup of coffee. Cuddling up by the fire is nice, and most B&Bs have DSTV, but that is not what Hogsback is about. Its that kind of small town you go to in order to escape the madness of life. There are not many shops and there is not even much of a town. If you love the wilderness, this might just be your perfect getaway. Though, there is more to it than just hiking. There is a silent magic that lives within the green trees, calling you to stay a little longer. The peace and serenity that Hogsback brings is unprecedented. Fresh air, mountain spring water and the quiet call of nature at your door step. Words by Ashleigh Brown

Travel

The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

Hogsback Spring Saunters allure

arpets of pink and purple, delicate blossoms from the trees overhead, as well as the excited chatter and movement from stall to stall, are what openly invite the visitor to explore the Hogsback Spring Saunter. The Hogsback Spring Saunter previously the Hogsback Spring Festival has been running for eight years and will be taking place from 21 to 24 September. Ansie Klaassen, one of the organisers of the Spring Saunter, said, The new idea for the Saunter is that everyone from Hogsback, as well as from other towns, can get involved. The Saunter as opposed to the previous one station of the Festival now has many stalls all over, which allows anyone to set up one for free. There are also 13 gardens to explore, at R60 per adult, which boast an array of flowers including rhododendrons, azaleas and irisesas, well as trees such as the Japanese cherry tree, Japanese maples, tulip trees and Dogwoods. From Friday through to Sunday there will be music to accompany the browsing of stalls, a prawn festival on Saturday and a potjiekos competition on Sunday. It will be a lovely, relaxing weekend of fun, says Klaassen, There are a

variety of things for everyone, the gardens are fantastic and Hogsback itself is beautiful. Hogsback is a destination filled to the brim with natural beauty and allows explorers the chance to meander along forest trails, where many noisily crashing waterfalls can be found. For the outdoor adventurers many activities are on offer, such as mountain biking and hiking, trout fishing and horse riding against a magnificent backdrop. Hogsback is said to be the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkiens famous trilogy Lord of the Rings, which paints a picture of the dramatic majesty of the landscape. Hogsback is surrounded by centuries-old forests and the imposing Amatola Mountains. The region got its name from three peaks, which are said to resemble the wild hogs that are the regulars of the forests. The quiet of the Hogsback scenery is only interrupted by the song of the Knysna Lourie and the jabbering of the Samango monkeys. Its natural beauty as well as the added attraction of the Spring Saunter is sure to entice all. Words by Ashleigh Brown

A view of Hogsback taken from Kettlespout waterfall. Picture: AsHleigH brown

getaway car

Hiring your

So you have the weekend off and vac is right around the corner. You want to go somewhere but you dont have a set of wheels to take you there andneither do your friends.Hiring a car seems like the best bet. Though, how would you go about doing that? There is really only one placein Grahamstown from where you can hire a car- Europcar. And no, you do not have to be 23 to hire a car. If you are younger, though, you are subject to paying a young driver fee. This fee is built into the cost of hiring the car, and varies depending on where you are going and for how long and what car you are hiring. There are three ways you can go about hiring your getaway vehicle, and they are all relatively simple. First option would be going in to Europcar and speaking to one of the assistants there. If it is your first time hiring, that might be the best thing to do. That way you can ask questions, and see for what exactly you(or your parents) are paying. Also, the assistant can give you advice on specials they might be having, or what would be the best car for you. The second option would be to call. Make sure you know the specifics of your trip. That way the assistant can log it into the computer and set you on your way. If you arent too sure about all the details yet, then the hiring assistant might either ask you to come in to Europcar, or go to their website. That leads me to the third way to try and hire a car - online. This is the quickest way to go about

hiring a car. The website is quite interactive, and easy to follow. Even though it is online, you are still going to want to have figured out at least when you are leaving and for how long. Booking online can be completed in three relatively easy steps: Get a quote, select your vehicle, book and pay.Then all that is left is picking up your car on the day you want to leave. When going about hiring a car, you have toproduce your drivers licence aswell as your ID, or passport. You will pay a deposit on the car that you will get back once the car comes back with all four tyres. Also,remember that there are different specials and rates that apply, depending on what car you hire and for how long.Most offers do not include petrol - that means that you leave with a full tank, so when you return the car,you have to fill the tank up again. However, included in the price is the damage and theft waiver, in case anything might happen. You can take out extra insurance on the car, if you think things might get a little wild, but that will cost you more. You can even ask Europcar to put a GPS in the car for you again, this will cost you extra. The most daunting thing about hiring a car is all the specials they lay out for you. There are so many groups of cars to choose from, and so many extras you can have as well. Just have a clear idea of where you want to go, for how long and what car you want, that way nobody can stop you escaping for the weekend.

Words by Michelle Cunliffe

28 August 2012

send an email to travel@oppidanpress.com if youd like to tell us about your travel experiences

Travel

The Oppidan Press

The hustle and bustle of the shell festival stalls. Picture: fliCkr

The ultimate: sun, surf and a good time

he road to Jeffreys bay is situated between beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, farm lands and, of course, the sea. This small beaching community, nestled along the golden coast of the Eastern Cape is about 45 minutes outside of Port Elizabeth. Jbay, as it is more popularly known, is a hot spot for surfers, beach lovers, and never forgetting, party goers. Jbay is a place to relax and soak up some rays during the day and to dance it all out during the long hours of the night. At the end of every September, Jbay hosts the Shell Festival, a welcome back summer

festival with much to offer. The Shell Festival is a weekend filled with bands, stalls, sporting events, some beach and good company. Even though the stalls offer items festival-goers have all seen before, the shops along the beachfront present eager customers with something different, from quirky little ornament shops, to a full on nail-emporium. This year at the Shell Festival, there will be top sporting activities and cultural shows to entertain the crowds. From beach volleyball to open water sea swimming, as well as cultural dances and music, the Shell Festival promises to entertain.

Music lovers will have something to look forward to. DJs add an extra vibe to the settings while you lay on the beach or shop up a storm in and around all the stalls. However, it is night time when Jbay comes alive, and for most Rhodes students, it is a time we enjoy most. The Shell Festival only supplements the party-going fever, which rips through Jbay most summer nights. The festival plays host to top South African bands. Unfortunately this list of music makers is not available yet. In addition to the live bands, there are clubs filled with eager dancers, and various other parties happening around the small town during the festival.

For those who plan to party all weekend long, Jbay also has numerous places where you can stay overnight. There are camping grounds, B&Bs and backpackers lodges available at affordable prices. Jbay is the perfect place for a student getaway. It is close, and offers a variety of things to do. This years Shell Festival is guaranteed to be bigger and better than the years before. So grab a few friends, jump in the car and make a weekend full of memories in the festive J-Bay.

Words by Ashleigh Brown

Walking on the wild side


Ever thought of going to a Game Reserve during the vacation? For many, the thought hasnt really crossed our minds. But the amazing thing about game parks is that its an all-in-one holiday deal: fun, adventure and a chance to learn on your own or with friends. There are many game reserves just outside of Grahamstown waiting for students coming from a difficult term of work to explore. One of the more wellknown reserves in the Eastern Cape (which is also not that far from Grahamstown) is the Addo Elephant Park. Addo is situated about an hour outside of Port Elizabeth. That means stopping over in PE for a bit of shopping or a dose of civilisation is quite easy. Addo houses over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, a variety of antelope, hyena, zebra and also the flightless dung beetle, which is unique to the Addo area. However, the flightless dung beetles arent half as exciting as Addos other treasures, the big seven: rhino, elephant, lion buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark adding to its impressive list of animals. Not only are there an abundance of animals to be see, Addo also has plenty of accommodation. There are three main rest sites within the park. Each house has about 61 accommodation units. There are three private lodges and a handful of B&Bs. Prices change during seasons, depending on when and where you would like to stay. There are also a variety of activities. Besides just looking for those hide-and-seek champion wild animals. Bird watching, horse riding and hiking are among some of the activities which Addo has to offer. There are more extreme packages for the more adventurous among us: 4x4 and hiking trails of different levels are available too. There are also a number of rest stations, curio shops and eating places throughout Addo to cater to your needs. Shamwari and Amakhala Game Reserves are also in the greater Addo area. These parks also have an array of wildlife, and are good for day trips. These two parks are among the few which are right outside Grahamstown. Addo, or any one of the game reserves in the Eastern Cape, are wonderful places to go with friends to find an adventure or two. They are places filled with activities, experiences and most they are places in which memories can be made. For more details on bookings and prices visit Addos website at: http://www.addopark.com/index.htm Words by Ashleigh Brown

The Eastern Cape is home to a number of game parks including Addo Elephant Park and National Mountain Zebra Park. Picture: froM gAPAfriCAProjECTs.CoM

Opinion

12 The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

The SRCs election committee was short sighted in their decision to open an invitation to the Independent Electoral Commission. The move from online voting to a ballot election was motivated by the threat, in previous years, of not reaching quorum. The running of a free, fair and legitimate election was only a secondary motivation for the IECs involvement. The primary purpose was to give students their ballots, in the hopes that they pick one up and contribute to reaching what has become an incredibly elusive 33.3% quorum. The problems here are quite obvious. Even if the student body had reached quorum, the legitimacy of the results would have been tainted in their attempt to bring the vote to the people, instead of bringing the people to the vote. The IEC is an organisation that ensures free and unbiased elections. It is not a draw card designed to encourage participation. The familiar failure of the student body to put their faith into a group of representatives shows that this time apathy has less to do with the general character of Rhodes students and more to do with a flawed election system. In the pursuit of finding candidates of calibre, first, the qualities being pursued must be clear; second, the process must provide a platform for these qualities to be displayed. Last years introduction of the Grazzle and Presidential Debate was an applaudable effort aimed at addressing this concern. Elections progressed from poster and PR campaigns, to a requirement for some kind of engagement with issues that representatives will need to address while in office. The decision to restructure the next Presidential Debate (in offering candidates a period to prepare for the panels questions) is another encouraging move. The silver tongue needed to impress at the first Presidential Debate is not necessarily indicative of the qualities we want in our next SRC president. However, as long as we rely on popular campaigning, and attendance at the Grazzle and Presidential Debate remains low, the threat of failing to reach quorum will remain. The prominence of posters and PR work in campaigning offers candidates the ability to advertise themselves, but not their aims, thoughts, or abilities. This is a problem that sits at the core of representational democracy, but which seems accentuated in the Rhodes microcosm. Bringing in the IEC could not solve this problem, because it used a hammer to tighten a screw. Quorum is not being reached because students do not have faith in their candidates, but candidates cannot acquire that faith until a system that allows them to display relevant qualities is streamlined. The constitutional requirement that the second round of elections be held before the end of the third term will mean another rush. While quorum may be reached, by current standards it will once more be done by scraping the barrel.

Illustrated by Amy Slatem

Testing for HIV needs sensitivity


By Binwe Adebayo A first year student turned to me in the queue and said, Should I be worried? We have all been witness to the diatribes regarding pre and post counselling for HIV tests and the importance of knowing ones status and yet, the HIV testing drive held this past week at Rhodes failed to meet expectations. A noble attempt was definitely made by SHARC to organise this crucial service for students. Considering that the highest rate of new HIV infections takes place between the ages of 18 and 25, the University has a vital role to play in the dissemination of information and facilities where people can survey their status. The drive included blood pressure and sugar testing, TB screening, family planning advice and free pap smears from the Health Care Centre. While this all seemed great on paper, the experience was very different to what was expected. Upon arriving at the Drostdy Lawns to have my blood pressure and blood sugar tested (fear of needles in tow), I was greeted by a nurse who didnt care to hear my name or my medical history. As medical equipment tumbled off the table, the nurse promptly pricked my finger while simultaneously answering her phone to speak to a relative about an electrician. Of course, students dont expect a long consultation, but the sheer lack of respect or consideration for the patient was quite perturbing. The HIV testing tents were located next to the bicycle statue. Students were herded into a small tent without formal pre counselling and in many cases, were not told about how the test works or what the way forward should be. For a seasoned tester, that may be a comfortable situation, but it was certainly an oversight of SHARC and the nurses to assume that everyone understood the terrain. First-time testers asked each other questions about the testing process which should have been answered by a professional. A very scared first year confessed to me that the nurses had laughed at her when she asked how big the testing needle was. While that may seem a fairly mild reaction in other circumstances, it can certainly be argued that when tackling the biggest medical epidemic this country has faced in recent decades, laughter is anything but appropriate. Some students were met by compassionate and experienced nurses who, seeing the worry on the faces of the tester, sought to make the process somewhat more bearable. On the whole, the testing was efficient and effective but sadly, without consideration for the anxiety that is part and parcel of the HIV testing process. Although SHARC can be applauded for conducting this event, there definitely needs to be greater insight into the process in future years.

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details


Editor: Benjamin Katz. Deputy Editor: Kate-Lyn Moore. Managing Editors: Camagu Mona and Khanyisa Mapipa. Financial Managers: Kuda Chawira and Wandile Nkosi. Marketing Manager: Sin Rees. Advertising Manager: Babalwa Nyembezi. Online Editor: Maricelle Gouws. Webmaster: Thandile Pambuka. News Editor: Kyla Hazell. News Assistant Editor: Joshua Oates. Features and Travel Editor: Ashleigh Brown. Environment Editor: Kate Janse van Rensburg. Politics Editor: Lucy Holford-Walker. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Vimbai Midzi. Sports Editor: Denzil de Klerk. Picture Editors: Kelly Muller, Kirsten Makin and Madien van der Merwe. Chief Sub-Editor: Wilhelmina Maboja. Sub-Editors: Fabio De Dominicis, Ndumi Ndlovu, Amanda Murimba, Tia Egglestone. Chief Designer: Stephanie Pretorius. Assistant Chief Designer: Chevawn Blum. Marketing and Advertising Designer: Amy Slatem. Junior Designers: Jehan-ara Khonat and Aimee de la Harpe. Letters to the Editor: letters@theoppidanpress.com Advertising details: advertising@theoppidanpress.com Distribution queries: distribution@theoppidanpress.com www.oppidanpress.com www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/theoppidanpress The Oppidan Press publishes letters that are bona fide expressions of opinion as long as they are not clearly libellous, defamatory, racist or sexist. We publish anonymous letters, but as an act of good faith on your part, we require your full name. We reserve the right to shorten letters due to space constraints and to edit them for grammatical inaccuracies. Any letters that do not make it into our print edition will be published on our website.

On behalf of Rhodes Hockey Club, we would like to distance ourselves from the statements that were published in The Oppidan Press Online about the umpiring of the game Rhodes 1st team men Versus NMMU on Friday 17 August 2012 at the Rhodes Astro. We find these statements unjust and inappropriate. The umpires that were officiating in this match are highly qualified and credible in the hockey society country wide. Both Jake Matlala and Lawrence Ferreira have SAHA umpiring qualifications and a great amount of experience and are highly respected in the Provincial League and at National Level. As the custodians of hockey at Rhodes University, we have a duty to allow the umpires to use their own discretion during match officiating and we condemn any statements that are made without any justification.

letters

tweets from the week


Mr Lewis also reported on the comments made by the head coach of NMMU, Ellwishes Cloete. This individual along with the manager, Cheslyn Gie, are very vocal and often express their frustrations towards umpires, but this does not mean that the umpires are blowing poorly. While we appreciate that journalists have the right to discuss their opinions on certain matters; we do feel that the views expressed by Mr Lewis are harsh and unjustified. Inter-varsity is a competition between four universities; perhaps that is what should have been covered rather than one or two incidents. We trust that for further articles regarding hockey club matters we will be approached to give official statement on them. Rhodes Hockey Club

@oppidanpress
19 Aug: @Snuly1 Well done @oppidanpress, brilliant coverage of #intervarsity #trivar! One crazy weekend 20 Aug: @thembi_lewis I suggest that everyone either spoils their vote or doesn't actually vote. This is a legitimate political tool. #SRCelections @ oppidanpress 20 Aug: @BuLeee So what happens now? RT @RhodesSRC: 2012/2013 SRC Quorum has not been reached @OppiUnion @oppidanpress @RMR897 @ ActivateOnline @rhodents

Investec Rhodes op 100 students Investec Rhod top 100Apply now stude The Oppidan Press
Jordan du Toit

The Top 100 back for its fourth year


The categories that students can apply for this year are leadership (the Dean of Students award), general excellence, sport, community engagement, academic excellence, and arts, culture and media. Bezuidenhout said that the judges chosen to discuss the candidates in each category are professionals with experience in that field. Judges, as in previous years, are representatives from the careers centre, academic departments, the community engagement office, the Dean of Students office, or are respected community leaders. This year the judging process has been refined, so that there are specific requirements for each category. Often people wonder Am I eligible? Now students can see with the new points system and stringent criteria that will be made available online, said Bezuidenhout.

ave you excelled in leadership, sport, community engagement, academics or the arts and media? Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised in those fields? The time to shine has come because The Oppidan Press Top 100 is back for its fourth year, celebrating students who are quietly creating excellence at Rhodes University. The Top 100 is in its fourth year and with over 400 applicants last year it can only get bigger, said Top 100 project manager Jamie Bezuidenhout. The Oppidan Press is offering a platform to celebrate outstanding students.

Being selected as one of this years Top 100 offers students a permanent record of their achievement, one that will travel with them and make the world take notice. In the next few weeks the application process will be opened; keep your eye on StudentZone and RUConnected where candidates will be able to apply as well as nominate others. Bezuidenhout encouraged members of the Rhodes staff and student community to nominate those exceptional students who deserve to be recognised as Rhodess Top 100 students, but who are too humble to do it themselves.

This years list of the Top 100 students will be announced in a special printed edition of The Oppidan Press on 9 October. The awards evening will be held on 17 October

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Be part of our 2013 team

Were looking to replace our team. Were sick of these people and want something new

If youre interested email a CV and Letter of Motivation to applications@oppidanpress.com Applications close Friday 31 August, early applicants statistically are more likely to be chosen.

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Arts & Entertainment


By Jenna Lillie

14 The Oppidan Press 28 August 2012

Why is the rum always gone?


C
offee Creative Studio, a Durban based advertising agency, has collaborated with Stroh 80 in launching a new campaign which seeks to educate people on how to start their parties in the best possible way - with a shot of Stroh 80 albeit in moderation. The Party Starters Campaign began three years ago and has been taken to a new level of exposure. The new brand has inspired university campuses across the country to use it as the proverbial party starter. The aim of this campaign, however, is not to supply copious amounts of Stroh Rum but to teach party-goers how to appreciate it for its taste and quality, not for its potency. The Party Starters only attend the beginning of each event with a limited supply of Stroh 80 Rum ensuring that the campaigns message of drinking safely and responsibly is maintained. But just how likely is it that students with access to free alcohol will keep responsible habits in mind? Supplying a drink, especially one that is 80% alcohol, has obvious repercussions, and its inclusion in parties on university campuses is problematic to say the least. One shot of Stroh 80 puts you over the maximum driving alcohol limit immediately, which begs the question of whether promoting it at parties that are attended by university students is at all a good idea. The parties often include Stroh rum shots with mixers, which do decrease the alcohol content per shot, but is a measure to soften the alcoholic blow. While that may seem like the pessimistic view to take, it is certainly the case that students have noticed a different dynamic to parties with the advent of the Party Starters phenomenon. Honestly I feel like it pressures people into getting absolutely drunk. How are you supposed to say no to a shot of Stroh rum if everyone at the party is watching you? It puts people who do not enjoy drinking heavy alcohol in an uncomfortable position, says Anje Smit. I dont mind it, but I know that some people feel that way. Joanna van der Merwe of the University of Pretoria feels differently. Stroh rum is Stroh rum and we all know its hectic. But the Party Starters idea is innovative and no different from the other alcohol promotions which happen at bars and clubs, she went on to explain. With much of the Dean of Students Offices efforts being geared towards responsible drinking and alcohol-free entertainment, it is odd that such a phenomenon would have cropped up at this stage. It became clear that the administration of Rhodes University had little clue that such activities were going on. This is a worrying development, and highly irresponsible for any company to encourage alcohol consumption of this nature. It will inevitably lead to more binge-drinking, and we all know the consequences of that, said Dean of Students Dr. Vivian de Klerk. Fortunately (for students and the company, possibly unfortunately for the universitys administration) it seems that this venture has become a popular trend. The campaign has led to more concrete fixtures at each institution it has gone to, by

The aim of this campaign, however, is not to supply copious amounts of Stroh Rum but to teach party-goers how to appreciate it for its great taste and quality, not for its potency.

implementing two student representatives as well as four selected bartenders per campus. Their jobs are to increase exposure and use local hangouts as opportunities to involve students in the Party Starters campaign. At Rhodes, the two representatives, who prefer not to be named publicly, have been very visible at digs parties and formals and are often the main attraction at an event- particularly during InterVarsity weekend. The parties have been taking campuses by storm with great feedback from all involved, said campaign director of HaveYouHeard Marketing Agency Cath Mori. The Party Starters Campaign can be found on their Facebook page and on Twitter. The six-week campaign has taken place in Grahamstown, Stellenbosch and Pretoria, with a firm impact on the party scene. However, it seems the jury is still out on whether this impact is one from which students can benefit.

Shots, shots, shots: The Party Starters Campaign, a new advertising venture, has recently targeted universities in the country advertising Stroh 80. Picture: STRoh 80 PARTy STARTERS/FLICKR

we recommend
Toya DeLazy
This month is all about celebrating women, and most specifically those that who are making it big in the South African music scene. With swarms of new female artists being discovered from every corner of the country, it is quite special to find an artist with a distinct image and even more distinct sound. This month The Oppidan Press recommends the pop-jazzy-electro sounds of Toya DeLazy. DeLazy began her musical career at the age of nine when she took up classical piano lessons. Her passion for piano continued and she turned this interest into her lifes work when she studied jazz piano professionally at the University of KwaZulu-Natals Howard College in Durban. DeLazys quirky style and upbeat tracks have made her a nationwide sensation. Her debut album Pump It On was released in 2011 and became a YouTube and radio sensation. She also received excellent reviews from some of South Africas toughest music critics. She has performed in almost every major city in South Africa in the last year, an extraordinary feat for a new artist. DeLazys recent performance at OppiKoppi was described as one of the highlights by many festival-goers. She is praised for her unique ability to be versatile and her greatest asset so far has been her talent for working the crowd. As a young performer with potential, we expect to see great things from this artist. To listen to and download her album, visit her website: www.toyadelazy.com

The Ultimate Collection: Whitney houston


In celebration of Womens Month, tribute must also be paid to the late and great Whitney Houston, whose music echoes far beyond her passing and throughout the decade. Once called one of the greatest singers of all time, her voice both soothes and uplifts, as she speaks of life, love and relationships. In a world of one-hit wonders, auto-tuned and empty lyrics that leave little to be desired, one can never go wrong with Whitneys powerful sound. Every note is so carefully sung, so melodically, so piercing. This album will get you on your feet, make you cry, laugh and reminisce, all in one listen. The Ultimate Collection features some of Whitneys best songs including I Will Always Love You and Im Every Woman. Singer Tony Bennett said that Whitney possessed one of the greatest voices of all time and his thoughts cannot be disputed. Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 is just one of the many accolades Whitney collected in her career. With fans across every race and culture, her lyrics speak to hearts of women the world over who have been through heartbreak, motherhood, puppy love, and the vicissitudes of the female existence. Despite her turbulent personal life, Whitneys music was an inspiration, and she will be thoroughly missed. We not only recommend this album, we implore you to listen to the musical genius that is Whitney.

Maggs

By Alexandra

By Vimbai

Midzi

Arts & Entertainment

28 August 2012

The Oppidan Press

15

Zebra & Giraffe are coming back


By Jessica van Tonder

Stand a chance to win!

dding to the prestigious list of artists that have rocked the Rhodent crowd are Zebra & Giraffe, who released their album The Wisest Ones in July, will soon set off on their country-wide tour next month. Having undergone a few changes, the band now consists of front man Greg Carlin, guitarist Alan Shenton and previous keyboardist and current drummer Mike Wright. They have not only released one of their most personal and reflective albums, they have allowed their fans a look into a different side of the band altogether. Delving into a darker sound and taking a few risks, they have shown off their versatility and talent. Zebra & Giraffe have always put their fans first. We want to grow our audience by doing what

we do, and as we grow, we hope that our fans do to, said Shenton. We will be playing at the Union on 20 September and are extremely excited to be playing for the Grahamstown crowd again, he added. The Wisest Ones took 6 months to create and their input and hard work did not go unnoticed by their fans. There are 3 of us [band members] left, and we are able to do what we want to do. This album has taken us 6 months to produce instead of the 6 weeks that some others took, added Shenton, We have had more time to rehearse and reflect; this has a much more genuine feel. South Africas newest songstress Tailor will perform alongside Zebra & Giraffe on stage throughout The Wisest Ones album launch tour.
The band members of Zebra & Giraffe. Picture: Supplied

The Oppidan Press in conjunction with Zebra & Giraffe are giving away two double-tickets to the band's live Grahamstown performance on 20 September. All you have to do is send the answer to the question below to winning@ oppidanpress.com: "An interview with which member of Zebra & Giraffe went live on The Oppidan Press Online this morning?" We are also giving away a signed copy of Zebra & Giraffe's latest album. Tweet to the world why The Oppidan Press is awesome. The most flattering wins. Make sure to tag @ oppidanpress and hashtag #OppiWinning and #Z&G* Closing date for both competitions is Friday 31 August. *To be eligible candidates need to like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter

Sports

Boat Race fever spreads


A
By Denzil de Klerk ll focus will shift to the Kowie River in Port Alfred on 13-15 September. These dates mark the annual university Boat Race the biggest rowing event on the calendar. Historically Rhodess rowing reputation in South Africa was one to behold. It was admired by all other universities rowing clubs and it set the bar when it came to university rowing. In recent years, however, Rhodes has been failing to live up to this reputation, with universities like UCT, Tuks and UJ becoming the dominant forces. Rhodess rowing coach John Luck believes Rhodes stands as good a chance as any of the other university to do well at this years Boat Race. Luck does not attribute Rhodess lack of recent success to something specific. There are a number of reasons, but its just the cycle of things, he said. Every club will have its ups and downs, and it only takes a few to push back, and with a little luck and a lot of determination well bring Rhodes rowing back to its winning ways. The various Rhodes crews have been training hard for months in preparation for Boat Race. The mens A crew, for example, set out a training plan at the end of May, to which theyve stuck fairly consistently up until now. Crews have been finding as much spare time as they can to train, which they hope will pay off come the big event. Rhodes undoubtedly has its share of talented rowers. Andrew Peebles, the senior member of the rowing club, recently pulled the third fastest time in Rhodess 5km ergo trial history, which according to Luck, is no mean feat. While performance at Boat Race relies mainly on a crews unity and synchronisation, the mens A crew will hope to use the experience and talent of Peebles to assist in a good performance. The Rhodes mens B crew has won Boat Race for the past two years, and therefore approach their race as favourite this year. Matthew de Klerk, a member of the B crew, took part in both of those gold medal winning performances. I am looking for my third Boat Race gold medal in a row, he said. According to Luck, the womens B crew is also expected to do very well at Boat Race this year. One of the disappointments of Inter-Varsity 2012 was that the rowing event did not take place. This was due to a required permit for an official race in the Kowie River not having been obtained in time. The Rhodes crews still took to the river during that time and raced against one another. They were able to do so because it was not an official event. Boat Race 2012 is set to be a highly entertaining and competitive event. We will have to wait and see if the waters of the Kowie River turn purple, or if they in fact stay blue. Picture: Robynne Peatfield

Rhodes Staff silence students in soccer


By Simpiwe Ndlovu Rhodes Staff beat Phoenix Knights to win the Internal League Cup final on Thursday 23 August. Both teams were undefeated all season going into the game. There were several players unable to participate, as there were tests being written on the night. Despite this, both teams named strong starting line-ups. The conditions were perfect: the game started at 18h00, so it was still mildly warm to begin with, without ever getting too cold. The game opened with frenetic energy, as both teams sought to establish dominance. Rhodes Staff were soon enjoying more possession than the Knights something that was true throughout the match. However, when they did get the ball, Phoenix did create chances. Siviwe Mnqovu, their top scorer this season, had the best chance of the half, but put the ball over the bar when he only had the keeper to beat. The second half saw more chances for both teams, but the goalkeepers were proving to be on top form. Neither team was able to score in normal time, so 30 minutes of extra time was called. By this time there were several players nursing injuries from earlier tackles, which some players (and much of the crowd) thought were deserving of yellow cards. The referee allowed for a lot of open play, not blowing for fouls very often, which exasperated some players. The first goal was scored in the first half of extra time. Phoenixs centre-back Phil Simpson attempted to clear a ball but miscued it, sending it past the keeper and into the net. This own goal galvanised the Knights into pursuing an equaliser, and they found it with not much time left. Phil Simpson scored again, for the right team this time: a free kick was curled into the box, and he used his height to put a powerful header past the keeper. Extra time ended 1-1 and the game went to penalties. Each team missed one penalty and the game could game gone either way, but Phoenixs fifth penalty was saved and Rhodes Staff put their last penalty into the bottom left corner to claim the trophy for the first time. The game lived up to its billing and was enjoyed by the large crowd that had gathered to watch. Phoenix has now lost the final for three consecutive years, which is as long as they have been in existence. They play Titans in the next two weeks, in a game that will effectively determine which of the two teams will win the league. As for Rhodes Staff, they are on top of the Championship division, and look set to claim two trophies this season.

a Rhodes Staff player during the Cup final. Picture: Madien Van deR MeRwe

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