Rhodes cracks down on intervisiting

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The Oppidan Press

Edition 7, 6 August 2013

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News Features
Intervisiting rules to apply to male residences
By Chelsea Haith s of 2014, intervisiting hours and sign-in rules will be applied equally to mens and womens residences at Rhodes University. The new rules, delivered by Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk, were discussed and decided upon during the annual mid-year House Committee training that took place over the weekend of 20-21 July. The intervisiting code was revised in 2012 when Senate and representatives of each Hall as well as the Student Representative Council (SRC) deemed it fair discrimination to have different rules for mens and womens residences. When the issue was debated again at Senate during November 2012 however, the matter was referred back to the Disciplinary committee. The committee announced this year that it did not support the rules and the Proctors deemed the differentiation between sexes unconstitutional and discriminatory. I believe that it is reasonable and has the interests of all of our students at heart, said de Klerk. There are several very good reasons why we need to know who is in the residences after midnight, ranging from personal safety and security, noise control, to privacy and the possibility of needing to evacuate the building during a fire if we dont know who is in the building, there would be no effort to ensure that they get out. Newly appointed Hall Warden of Allan Webb Hall Markus Mostert differs in his outlook: I'm somewhat concerned that we're turning the campus into some kind of a mininanny state. If people grow up in an over-protected environment where they don't learn to take responsibility for their personal safety, they might struggle to cope in the real world when there won't be a warden to protect them. After much debate it was agreed upon that the fairest course of action would be to implement a rule to be applied equally to all residences. I dont think much will change, though it is more equitable, commented SubWarden of Canterbury House Simphiwe Duze. The recommendation that no visitors to any residence will be permitted between midnight and 7.30am, without permission from the House Warden, was accepted by Senate on 22 June this year. Regarding the implementation and enforcement of the new rule, Sub Warden of Piet Retief House Chris Gibberd said, In the beginning theres

The Oppidan Press 6 August 2013

From 2014 onwards, male residences on campus will have an inter-visiting register. Photo: JOANNA MARX going to be resistance, I think for the first two months, but itll become the norm. I dont necessarily agree with the policy but I can understand why the University is implementing it. Still to be agreed upon by the Wardens and Hall committees is what constitutes grounds for permission to exceed the inter-visiting hours. The following reasons were tentatively established as grounds for permission: Study groups Visitors not from Grahamstown (visiting siblings staying over) Special social/psychological circumstances Extended hours for a Hall Ball or an equivalent event Changes to the current system that the Board of Residences foresee include: All residences must have visitor sign-in books Sanctions for exceeding visiting hours may be lowered Failure to sign a guest out will be punished with six hours

Changing opinions on intellectual property policies

By Mudiwa Gavaza Business With Rhodes University currently in the process of reviewing its intellectual property policy, the ownership of ideas finds itself at the centre of debate once more. One of the main driving forces of business success is the ability to bring something unique to the market. With so many people coming up with new and innovative inventions and ideas, there needs to be a way for originators to protect their creations and possibly profit from their hard work. Intellectual property (IP) may be a topic that is seldom understood but it is one we all deal with on a daily basis. It concerns a wide range of material: what we read in books, which music we hear on the radio, or our favourite shows on television. What all these examples have in common is the fact that at their inception there was an idea. It is these ideas that the record labels, software companies and movie studios are trying to protect. IP has to do with the ownership of ideas. When artists, inventors or authors want to protect their work, they usually employ tools such as copyrights, trademarks, licensing and patents. These give originators of an idea the right to compensation for and protection of their work. The subject of IP encompasses many different aspects and areas. Given that fact, we will deal mainly with IP as it relates to media content like video and music as well as the ownership of academic work. All of these are associated with financial considerations and where money enters the picture, problems often follow. Copyrights are used to protect creative works, with artists and authors being given a percentage of sales income. Trademarks on the other hand are used to protect brands, with trademark holders being paid whenever their mark is used in an official capacity. Patents are quite different in that they are used to cover the unique aspect(s) of designs. Once a patent is in effect, its holder has sole rights to that design for a specified number of years, usually twenty. Licensing allows third parties to buy the right to use patents, trademarks and copyrights from the holder. Professor Philip Machanik is a lecturer in the Computer Science Department and author of a novel called No Tomorrow. As a computer scientist and novelist, he keeps himself abreast with matters pertaining to IP and is seen as an expert within the Computer Sciences Department. He pointed out a number of issues that are fuelling the current global debate on intellectual property. He also touched on the ongoing policy discussion that the University is dealing with. He explained, The University is currently in the middle of a policy discussion about its stance on intellectual property. As a government and educational institution, it is not our business to make money off ideas, but what happens if a student or lecturer comes up with a new innovation whilst conducting university business such as research or assignments? This is where the problem lies. Who has ownership of those ideas? Can the student or lecturer sell their ideas to a firm like Microsoft or does the University get to dictate what happens to that work? Copyright and patent laws on the whole have always been quite different in various parts of the world and this has now become a issue of debate. With the advent of technology and the Internet, this issue has become even more heated. Most recently, controversies around this issue have incuded the patent case between Apple and Samsung, where both companies accused each other of stealing technology and designs for phones and tablets; and the Android battle between Google and Oracle, where Oracle claimed that the code for the Google-powered Android came from its own platform. These conflicts have been instrumental in bringing this issue to the fore. Within the publishing world, international publishers recently took Google to court, accusing it of plagiarism when it started its cataloguing program for Google Books by just scanning and uploading books without first consulting publishers and authors. As a government and educational institution, it is not our business to make money off ideas, but what happens if a student or lecturer comes up with a new innovation whilst conducting university business such as research or assignments?
- Professor Philip Machanik

Plagiarism is all around, said PGCE student Songezo Mlangeni. If you think about it, all the ideas that people are coming up with these days are just improvements on what already exists. Communism for example was already in practice before Karl Marx ever wrote about it. I think there should be communism of ideas [in that] they should be free and available to everyone. With young people being such avid consumers of digital content such as music and video, copyrights and royalties are one aspect of IP that certainly affects the Rhodes community. Taking into consideration student budgets and the various available sources of free content online, the decision to pay for content seems to be an ethical one more than anything else. Politics student Jonis Ghedi Alasow said, There is a difference between academic and artistic work. I have no problem paying for artistic work like movies and music; those people are in the business of making money off their work. Academic work on the other hand should be

open to the public. When it comes to digital content, Africa has always been a hotbed of contention. Statistics point to the fact that the continent has one of the highest rates of computer piracy in the world. With that said, the unavailability of streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix and the late arrival of the iTunes Store in Africa may explain why people have had to resort to alternative means to access digital content. Professor Machanik suggests that perhaps the difference in copyright policy on the continent from the USA and Europe may explain why there has been a slow adaptation of platforms such as iTunes. Regarding Africa and its role in the IP world, attempts are being made to try and address these issues. The African Copyright & Access to Knowledge Project (ACA2K) is one such programme that seeks to do this. The project seeks to address the fact that IP policies in the developed world do not always work in developing countries. In addition to this, the project aims to find a way to make educational and academic material cheaper and more accessible to people on the continent. Professor Machanik said, With the developed world leading the charge in terms of innovation in technology and research output, Africa needs to find policies that suit its environment. Going forward, some suggest that there should be a re-thinking of policy around the world, within academic institutions, writing and the media landscape. Rhodes University is currently redesigning its own policy on IP. The first draft is in the process of being reviewed and is still up for discussion through various university channels. It remains to be seen what the legal and business landscape will look like going forward and what will come out of this policy discussion. Students should be encouraged to engage with this debate where they can.

News Features
Grahamstown businesses to install CCTV cameras
By Sisipho Skweyiya n an effort to combat crime in the Grahamstown central business district, business owners in and around High Street, New Street and African Street have joined forces to install a number of CCTV cameras at key points in this area. According to Eugene Repinz, Manager of the Graham Hotel and an executive member of the Grahamstown Business Forum (GBF), there are a number of factors that resulted in the decision to install CCTV cameras in the main and commonly-targeted streets of Grahamstown. Some of these problems include intimidation, shoplifting and vandalism. The police seem to be understaffed and almost inefficient, Repinz said. What we also noticed is that when crime is reported, there is no evidence, thus the offenders never face the consequences. Jo Fitzhenry, co-owner of Courtlands Bed & Breakfast on New Street, decided to install her own CCTV cameras for safety reasons. Fitzhenry stated that businesses have to protect themselves because they dont have an effective police force. We have so-called car guards in this town who pass on information to criminals about the comings and goings of our businesses, hence there is a

6 August 2013

The Oppidan Press

A security camera outside Friar Tucks would ensure constant surveillance of the street outside. Photo: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE lot of theft, she said. Co-owner of Campus Concepts Wendy Ling also owns her own CCTV cameras. She claimed that they are very effective and exceptionally helpful in tracing offenders. We mostly experience student offenders. We once caught two students who were trying to vandalise our premises, she said. We have often dealt with students who urinate outside our windows, often when they are drunk, and it is so disrespectful. And they also shoplift, she added. Having the cameras in place helps Ling and her business partner Hilmer Eichhoff report incidences. If the offenders are students we go straight to Rhodes, if not, we go to Hi-Tech because they are more efficient than the police, Ling said. Ling and Eichhoff are also members of the GBF and agree with the proposal for CCTV cameras to be installed. However, they are concerned about who is going to fund these cameras. The businesses do not make a lot of money and we

The state of environmentalism: science vs the media

By Jordan du Toit Environment Environmental issues have come under intense scrutiny once more. Inevitably, those fighting for or against these issues fell into the spotlight as well. With science and the media so often falling in and out of agreement with each other, it seemed an opportune moment to talk to both a scientist and a journalist to uncover their views on the state of environmentalism today. Fracking was the inspiration for diehard freelance journalist Ivo Vegter to write his recent book Extreme Environment. It garnered much acclaim and some criticism for its hard look at the way lobby groups may exaggerate facts when trying to acquire support. Vegter was concerned about how the media may play a role in dramatising issues. The media seldom treat lobby groups that claim to act in the public interest with the same critical scepticism as they do corporate spin or government propaganda, he said. In pursuit of their ideology, activists routinely exaggerate risks while minimising or entirely ignoring the benefits of a given technology or development they oppose progress if it involves risk, which all progress inevitably does. This exaggeration can cause mass hysteria if taken hold of by the general population, as seen after Al Gores film An Inconvenient Truth was released. It was based on very real facts and issues but the apocalyptic tone set off a general panic among viewers. While Vegter feels that the media must not be blind to the activities of environmentalists, Professor of Computer Science at Rhodes University Philip Machanick felt that all journalists fail to adequately represent any issues. Journalists are trained to strive for balance and this applies where there are positions that are equally valid, or at least of debatable validity, said Machanick. As the evidence accumulates that an anti-environmental stance is harmful for the long-term future of humanity, this striving for balance is increasingly skewing the debate away from addressing real problems and supporting the status quo without good cause. Machanick is certainly not a fan of Vegter, going so far as to deride his work as being rubbish. He felt journalists like Vegter were often guilty of finding only what suited their stories and that [this] approach is typical of anti-environmentalism because it blinded many readers to the actual truths of the matter. However, Vegter was quick to defend his profession and his work. Questioning group-think, dogma and conservative orthodoxy is a hallowed tradition in the media and an important role for intellectuals. Professor Machanick may think that what he describes as anti-environmentalism is harmful for the long-term future of humanity, but my argument is that exaggeration is at least as harmful and in a much more immediate sense, Vegter said. He went on to add that in his view the focus should be on the present rather than a distant future. The very urgent needs of poverty alleviation and human development trump idealistic speculation about an uncertain longterm future, he said. This view is one being taken on by governments all over the world as they attempt to balance the needs of the people with that of the environment which so often, unfortunately, dont match up. The environmentalists fighting only for the environment have long been stereotyped as tree-huggers or people who oppose all corporate enterprise. But the changing face of environmental issues has meant that more and more everyday people are becoming involved, as it becomes evident that these issues will seriously affect both their lives and the lives of future generations. Machanick saw the progression in todays various environment stances first-hand. When I first encountered environmentalism in the 1980s, it was mostly about emotion and those supporting industrial development had little difficulty discounting environmental concerns. Since then, environmentalism has become increasingly evidence-based and blindly pro-industry positions increasingly emotional. For Machanick the move has been a positive one, transporting the movement from a platform of emotional desperation to one of scientificallybased reasoning. Vegter, however, has not found that environmentalism has evolved to an acceptable stage. Environmentalism has become a dogmatic and fundamentally conservative ideology, he said, going on to describe reactionary and very emotional environmentalists as almost cult-like in their devotion to the natural world. While this point may be valid, those who hold these beliefs vehemently do so because they feel the Earth must be cherished, lest the doom of humanity be ensured. Perhaps there is a place for reactionary opinion, if only as a method of providing balance against more conservative views. Machanick and Vegter seem to agree that people who are ruled by their emotions make bad environmental activists and ill-informed people make even worse ones. Both felt this was a critical issue when it came to the actions of the student. Activism of any kind is mostly better than inactivism, but be informed so what you campaign for makes sense and will make a difference, advised Machanick. Most anti-environmental campaigners are old enough to be secure in the knowledge that they will be long dead before the worst

have staff to pay, Ling said. Repinz also acknowledged that funding for the installation and maintenance of theses cameras might be a hassle, as the system alone costs R50 000. However, he said that once the Forum has been registered with the South African Revenue Services (SARS) they can begin accepting donations from businesses that are members as well as from the municipality and the University. Repinz claimed that the installation of these cameras will benefit everyone who lives in Grahamstown. Student Chwayita Jakuja also agrees that the installation of these cameras is a necessity in fighting crime in the streets of Grahamstown. Last term my cars windscreen got smashed outside the Volkswagen dealership shop while I was at the Rat, Jakuja said. I was so shocked because I never expected that to happen, and there were car guards outside as well. Jakuja claimed that since there is no proper security system in the streets, she did not find who vandalised her car because she had no evidence. The decision regarding the installation of the CCTV cameras was made by the Forum. The police and the municipality are aware of the proposal and have welcomed the idea.

Professor Philip Machanick says that the media fails to represent environmental issues adequately. Photo: RORY BOON effects of climate change and excessive consumption degrade the planet in a measurable way. They are stealing your future and you should not let them get away with it. Vegter was of a similar opinion: University students are ideally placed to be skeptical of populist claims in the media by activists, in advertising and by politicians. Ultimately, our policy future is [up to students] to shape, so the more rational and informed those policies are, the better. The environment will never stop being a topical issue and a heated one at that, especially in terms of climate change and in both the political and social spheres. While science and the media will continue to clash because of their fundamental differences, it is more evident than ever that all groups of people must work together or nothing will be achieved.

Politics
By Mitchell Shaun Parker

The Oppidan Press 6 August 2013

Rhodes University Law Clinic takes on Mandela case

Jujus EFFd up party politics play out

By Emily Corke Following a slap on the wrist from Jacob Zuma and dismissal from his role as president and unofficial mouthpiece of the ANC Youth League, it was hoped by some that the colourful Julius Malema would fade into obscurity. However, Malema is back in the media spotlight, not as a result of his personal indiscretions but due to the formation of his new political party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). It is very cold outside the ANC, but we are making it warm, said Malema, dressed in his red beret reading Commander in Chief , at the launch of the new revolutionary party on 11 July at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg. Malema outlined the EFFs somewhat radical manifesto, which mostly included responses to the question What is to be done? as an anti-capitalist slogan representing the goal of achieving economic freedom for South Africans. The EFFs policies included the expropriation of land; the nationalisation of mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy; free quality education, healthcare, houses, and sanitation; massive protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs. Furthermore, the protest movement claimed that massive development of the African economy can only occur with a move from former president Nelson Mandelas focus on reconciliation to a focus on justice. The manifesto promotes policies that are socialist in nature and which observers have noted are contradictory to Malemas own lifestyle. Director of the Centre for Economics Journalism in Africa Reginald Rumney said, Malemas economic policies are populist nonsense. According to Rumney, land redistribution has never been a central issue in South Africa, though land exclusion was a means of exploitation in apartheid. Furthermore, Rumney said that nationalism is not a viable option, which accounts for why the ANC have not followed through on their promises of nationalisation promises. Rumney said that both policies would stir emotions and are therefore clever policies for an emotive speaker to promote. Should Malemas party do the impossible and unseat the ANC, they would soon back off from nationalisation for the same reason that the ANC backed off from nationalisation, added Rumney. Beyond the radical policies of the EFF is its radical membership, with a commander in chief who has a knack for attracting media attention. Julius Malema is adept at using the media as a tool in his political ambition, said Rumney. He lives in the media spotlight. Politics lecturer Richard Pithouse said, Malema is an authoritarian populist and a demagogue [manipulator] whose history of looting from the state, as well as his authoritarianism and misogyny are well known. Pithouse went on to say that the idea that the EFF could be a progressive party is misguided because the leadership is corrupt, authoritarian and misogynistic and they have no history of real support for popular struggles. Chair of the Womens Academic Solidarity Association Siphokazi Magadla felt that Malema was a product of a certain political time and political administration. In the end we get the leaders we deserve, and it is also about asking ourselves what kind of political community we have allowed for these people to be the leaders we get, she said. Another controversial member of the EFFs administration is businessman Kenny Kunene, who claims to have given up his lavish life aspirations for the politics of economic freedom. Kenny Kunene has the same right as anyone else to join any political party but the idea that he could be some sort of progressive figure in our politics is entirely contemptible, said Pithouse. Malema was quick to distance himself and his political history as a lapdog for the ANC from the new party, however he used the same style of ranting rhetoric as he has done in the past. After delivering a rather tame speech at the launch, he went on to lambaste Zuma and the ANC, saying that there is no ANC, only ZANC (Zumas ANC). This comment could hold some truth in light of Zumas recent cabinet reshuffle that did not include the called-for removal of Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, who was the centre of a textbook fiasco last year that saw many school children left without resources for most of the year. Magadla felt that the launching of the EFF was relevant to the 20 year mark that South Africa is approaching in its young democracy. I think if anything it says a lot about where we are politically and how we are maturing, and also the weakening of governance, she said. What remains to be seen is how this revolutionary party will fare in a political landscape dominated by the ANC and how Malema, an often blunt and aggressive speaker, will gain support for his radical ideas. He remains a dangerous politician, because of his skill at using a willing news media to attract attention to himself and his dangerously unthought-out ideas, said Rumney.

he Rhodes University Law Clinic (RULC) has recently come under fire as Wesley Hayes decided to represent the Mandela family in their fight to restore the remains of the three deceased children of Nelson Mandela to their original resting place. The case against Mandla Mandela, who was accused of stealing the remains from Madibas home, the village of Qunu, was successful. The final ruling forced him to hand over the remains of his father and his fathers siblings. The decision has significant ramifications for where Madiba will be buried due to the ailing former statemans request to be buried with his children. In a statement released by Vice-Chancellor Saleem Badat, motivation for the decision to support the Mandela family was laid out: At the time of the instruction it was established that a number of the applicants were indigent. This was determined through a commonpractice means test applied by Legal Aid South Africa. Because this is applied individually, the wealthy members of the Mandela family who could pay for their own legal fees were not reason

enough to help the less fortunate among them. Explaining why all family members were represented, he wrote, Once the Law Clinic had made the decision to represent the applicants it had a duty to do all that was needed to advance those individuals interests and secure their rights it was decided that it would be beneficial for all the applicants to be joined in one application against the respondent, an approach which is not uncommon. Because of the role played in this case by women like Graa Machel and Madibas eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah, the RULC has also argued that it took the case because of the difficulty that faces women in traditional matters in relation to their Constitutional rights. However, the indigence argument poses a new dilemma for the Rhodes University Law Clinic. In a recent court ruling, it was decided that the Marikana miners did not need the support of the state with legal proceedings regarding their arrests and injuries from the Marikana massacre. Therefore, why is it that the RULC can help the Mandelas, but not the Marikana survivors? The idea of womens rights being an issue that needs to be tackled in this case also raises subsidiary concerns considering the relative wealth

of Mandela-Amuah and Machel. The question of womens rights needs to be worked on in South Africa, but why they could not get legal support on their own has yet to be explained. The case will not, however, cost Rhodes University anything except for the time spent by Hayes, the Director of the Queenstown Rural Legal Centre, a branch of the RULC. Badat reassures in his statement that although clients of the RULC are not charged for the case, those costs are recovered when the case is successful as it was in this example by the implementation of a costs order. Had the RULC lost their case against Mandla Mandela, the clients would have been responsible for the costs incurred as the RULC is not party to the proceedings. Either way, the RULC would not be making a loss. In response to the involvement of the RULC in the case, Mandla Mandela has indicated that he wished to meet with the leadership of Rhodes University. In a statement to The Star, Mandlas spokesperson Freddy Pilusa said, Mr Mandela finds it absurd that Mandela family members could be considered indigent He has already instructed his attorneys to set up a meeting between him and the Vice-Chancellor to try and understand the logic behind this.

The University has said that it will give due consideration to any request for a meeting that is made by Mr Mandla Mandela should we be formally approached.

Once the Law Clinic had made the decision to represent the applicants, it had a duty to do all that was needed to advance those individuals interests and secure their rights.
Dr Saleem Badat, Vice-Chancellor

Julius Malema has started a new political party, EFF. Photo: Gallo images

6 August 2013

Zuma shuffles his cards yet again

P
By Chelsea Haith olitical manoeuvring made news in July 2013 with President Jacob Zuma bringing in five new ministers and sending out some of those characters that, for all the wrong reasons, have dominated the media during the past year. While Rhodes students dispersed to every corner of South Africa, those in power stayed home and worked on improving public opinion. Zumas housekeeping, the fourth in his term of office and conveniently close to the 2014 elections, was announced in a press conference on 9 July. The major reshuffles included the firing of former Communications Minister Dina Pule and former Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale. Pule has been a near-constant presence in the media spotlight since The Sunday Times revealed that Phosane Mngqibisa, a man rumoured to be romantically involved with Pule, was manipulating her portfolio. She has been under investigation by both the Public Protector and Parliaments Ethics committee. SAPA reported on 21 July that the Hawks are now investigating Pule for corruption charges after the DA submitted an affidavit to the Cape Town central police station requesting an investigation of Pule in May. Yunus Carrim, former Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has replaced her. He is taking on a troubled portfolio plagued most significantly by the SABCs on-going financial crisis. Sexwale, a name that used to command considerable respect in political circles, took the cut for his inefficacy in solving the countrys housing and sanitation problems. Formerly the first Gauteng premier in 1994 and a contender for the Presidency in 1999, Sexwale used to be a political heavyweight, but has lost ground in recent years, despite posing a threat to Zuma at Mangaung. This might explain his replacement in the Cabinet. Sexwale is replaced by Connie September, formerly the first female Deputy President of COSATU in the 1990s. Zuma is showing his hand by picking COSATU-affiliated cabinet ministers, a move that is raising eyebrows about the involvement of particularly socialist-leaning individuals. Richard Baloyi was relieved of his position as the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. His time in office had been plagued by inefficient local governance at municipal level, although Stephen Grootes speculated in the Daily Maverick that Baloyi was cut for refusing to take responsibility for both the Zamdela riots in January, fuelled by the proposed merging of Sasolburg with Parys, and for his late response to the Mvula Trust Scandal. Lechesa Tsenoli, the former Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, replaces him. The surprises in the reshuffle, likely to be the last ahead of the elections next year, were Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and Tina Joemat-Pettersons clinging obstinately to their jobs, despite being arguably the most derided and attacked government ministers this year. Motshekgas inability to take accountability for, or effectively redress, the Limpopo textbook scandal set her up as the minister most expected to be fired. Joemat-Petterson, Minister of Fisheries and Forestry, was found guilty by the Public Protector for what Thuli Madonsela described as a blank-cheque attitude to public funds, spending extravagantly on travel and hotels. I think hes just trying to retain her to keep the womens vote, commented Rhodes University Politics lecturer Siphokazi Magadla. Neither female ministers were relieved of their duties nor did Zuma give any explanation as to his choices in the reshuffle, sparking intense speculation over his motives. I dont know what it says about someones ability to lead if they keep changing their cabinet. He seems to be pandering to a particular voter that the president thinks doesnt deserve an explanation, said Magadla.

Politics

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Jacob Zuma has appointed five new ministers. Photo: Michael Wuertenberg / World Economic Forum

Turkish unrest: an insiders perspective

By Mitchell Shaun Parker Turkey has been in a state of unrest since the start of the Taksim Square sit-in which began on 22 May this year. What started as an environmental issue quickly spiralled into a political movement against current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan. The Taksim Square sit-in originally revolved around the modernisation of a park in central Istanbul. In what is comparable to an Occupy movement, protesters set up camp in this hub of the modern city and attempted to have their voices heard. When the government reacted strongly, Taksim Square became the catalyst for a more widely spread political movement all across Turkey. It was only 200 people. They could easily have just moved them, said student John Kumcu, who is on exchange from Turkey and who was present for some of the protests. During Erdoans term in office, Turkey has become a less friendly environment for the middle-class, with religion beginning to dominate lawmaking as well as a prioritisation of the poor. Taksim Square was therefore a predominantly middle-class protest. The poor, in fact, were against the protest because it interfered with their working lives. The middle-class nature of the protest opened the door to insightful discussion amongst protesters. It was an interesting exchange of ideas, said Kumcu. It was only after the violent response received by protesters that things began to become more destructive. Protesters destroyed kiosks, burnt cars and buses and took cobblestones out of the street to make barricades against the police. During the protests, Turkey ranked first for journalists in prison. In fact, Erdoan blamed the foreign media for sparking the protests in an attempt to destabilise the Turkish economy. Unfortunately for Turkey, due to the mass proliferation of government propaganda through the media, few of the rural majority the source of most of Erdoans votes were aware of the politics behind the protests. Erdoan made a conscious effort not to acknowledge the protests as anything more than an environmental issue. As long as the Prime Minister played stupid and didnt apologise and didnt see it as a credible threat, this

Ive never seen anything like it. People just gave up their individualism for the cause. - John Kumcu

protest couldnt add up to as much as people were hoping, said Kumcu. However, it wasnt all doom and gloom. It really amazed me how, because Turkish people are not very friendly, very rough sounding they created an atmosphere of a common goal. Everyone was just so friendly to each other, said Kumcu. They gave each other free medical aid, free yoga classes, free food. I mean, it was really an environment of friendship. Ive never seen anything like it. People just gave up their individualism for the cause.

A protester converses with a policeman in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: ESER KARADA

News Features
Rhodes students attend Google Summit in Kenya
By Lethabo Ntshudisane Sci Tech oogle is striving to aid the education sector by implementing the Google Student Ambassador (GSA) programme, which allows students who are interested in innovation to improve their universities through technological advancements. Of the 17 GSAs selected from nine universities across South Africa, Google chose two student ambassadors from Rhodes University. After completing an extensive application process, both Christina Sukop and I were selected as representatives. As part of the application process, would-be ambassadors were required to make a video either showcasing who they are, or focusing on technology and Google. A GSA is a student who acts as a liaison between Google and their university, but there is more to it than just that. GSAs are the universitys go-to individuals when it comes to Google products. It is therefore essential that a GSA has sufficient, up-todate knowledge of the products and programmes offered by Google. As the primary liaison, it is the GSAs responsibility to aid Google in understanding a universitys culture, as well as identifying ways for the campus to implement various Google Applications and, importantly, plan and host events. Once the Sub-Saharan Africa GSAs were all selected, we were flown out to attend the Sub-Saharan Google Summit in Kenya, which took place in Nairobi, from 3 to 5 July. People from the three prominent Google communities - the Google Student Ambassadors, Google Developers Groups and Google Business Groups amounting to 130 in total; all gathered at the summit. The opportunity to travel was a blessing, as were the substantial opportunities for learning and personal growth that it presented. Every day was packed full of

The Oppidan Press 6 August 2013

Google Student Ambassadors at the summit hosted in Kenya in June this year. Photo: CHRISTINA SUKOP sessions, where ambassadors were taught about being a GSA and about Google itself. We started early each morning and attended informative presentations and training workshops until evening. These aimed to arm us with all the necessary information and tools required of a GSA. Speakers covered the different Google products, as well as issues of ethics, compliance and the leadership skills required of a GSA ambassador. We were also exposed to the other prominent Google communities: learning about what they are and the purpose they serve. Each day presented formal challenges, conducted online, on platforms such as Googles social network, Google+. The GSAs of each country teamed up to participate in these. Three days and three challenges later, the South African team won the overall Google Summit challenge. The experience was invaluable. Those enthusiastic about technological innovation, be they from any discipline, should jump at this opportunity. Applications can be expected to open at the end of March every year. Specific details are unconfirmed as of yet. Those interested should keep their eyes on the website for updates.

To apply to become a Google Student Ambassador, visit the following page: http:// www.google.com/ intl/en/jobs/students/ proscho/programs/ emea/ambassador/

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News Features
Any.Do to the rescue
By Lethabo Ntshudisane Sci Tech Time management is an essential skill needed for students to perform academically. A balance must to be struck between ones personal and academic life - and that is exactly what the Any.Do application (app) helps students to achieve. Any.Do is a powerful to-do list app for Android and iOS mobile platforms, which offers students more than just a conventional task manager. When you open the app you will come across a simple user interface, that is easy to understand and navigate. At the top of the app there is a textbox where you can type in the task you want to do or be reminded about. The add task textbox is convenient and makes suggestions while you type. Alongside the textbox there is a microphone symbol, to add a task or reminder by voice if you do not feel like typing. The rest of the screen space is taken up by the actual to-do or task list. When you have completed a task you can cross out that task. Tasks can be arranged by folder or date view. Folder view permits greater customisation, allowing students to separate what they have to do in folders such as Academic and Personal. Any.Do also allows you to add notes to a task you have added. This can prove useful when going grocery shopping for your digs, as you can add a list of the items you need. You can also perform various functions within the app such as send texts, emails and make calls. Whenever you get a missed call the app asks you whether you would like to call the number back now, set a reminder to call back later or dismiss the missed call entirely. Emulating the job of a personal assistant is the Any.Do Moment, a daily planner. The user can set a time when the Any.Do Moment pops up. This feature allows you to plan when you are going to carry out the tasks that you have set for that particular day. You can choose to do the task the same day, the following day or in three days time. After you are done planning your day it gives you a motivational message for the day. The Oppidan Press asked two students to use the application for a few days and this is what they had to say. It helps me remember the things I have to do. However, it gets slightly annoying when it reminds you to do something and you are busy, you cant choose a new time but are limited to an hour, three hours, dismiss or done, said Cacharel Wroots. I like the fact that during the plan my day it asks me when I want to do activities, said Alexander Derry. If time management is not your strongest area, then the Any.Do app may work for you. The Oppidan Press rates Any.Do 4.5 out of 5 stars.

6 August 2013

The Oppidan Press

Rhodes students will need to make their own travel arrangements at the start and end of term, now that Rhode Trip is no longer in service. Photo: ALEXA SEDGWICK

Its the end of the Rhode for Oppidan students

Students turn to SRC as Rhode Trip evening service ends

By Emma Atkinson wing to complaints made to Student Representative Council (SRC) President Sakhusomeleze Badi, the issue of transport at Rhodes University is to reach the upper levels of University management. A meeting with Rhode Trip users living off of campus was held by the SRC on 30 July. Of the 132, those who responded to the SRCs emails were asked to air their grievances concerning the cancellation of all Rhode Trip night buses. They were assured that the results of this meeting would be formally presented to Rhodes senior management. The meeting will be focused on Rhodes transport and all other transportrelated issues at Rhodes. Rhode Trip terminated its night shuttle service at the beginning of third term, owing to declining membership. The service, which made between 100 and 200 trips per night around Grahamstown, has struggled for some time, according to Rhode Trip founder Matthew Slater. In 2013 it faced its lowest membership since its inception in 2005. This termination has affected Rhode Trips previous users drastically, who make up five to ten percent of Rhodes students. Student Nontobeko Dube, who lives

past the Kingswood area, was distressed at the evening services closure. I often stay and work in the library until 7pm, or even later if I have a test, because I dont have a computer at home, she said. I have to walk back to my digs after lectures, eat, walk back to the library and work, and then walk back home before it gets dark. I have to walk down African or High Street, and it doesnt feel safe. Similar problems have been faced by other Oppidan students. Student Kelsey Volmin now relies on others transport to get around. I cant afford a car right now, so I beg rides off my mates. Its really distracting and annoying I have to plan my day around someone elses schedule and it often changes at the last minute, she said. Ive been ditched a couple of times and missed sports practices as a result. I wish Id been warned about something I relied on heavily. Students living in residence are also affected by Rhode Trips termination of the night buses. Students, predominantly female, returning to residence from a night out or from a late grocery shopping trip now resort to using Get Home Safe, but using this emergency service is complicated by its limited hours of operation. You basically cant go out at night before 10pm or after 3am, said upper campus resident Thembeka Ndlovu.

Its like an enforced curfew. My friends and I have gone walking to Pick n Pay or Shoprite to get food at like 8pm, knowing its dangerous. But it was worth the risk. The same for going for drinks at the Rat. Slater noted that three student coordinators, who managed the incoming SMSs and calls to Rhode Trip at night, were retrenched as a result of the evening service closure. According to the SRC, the Oppidan Bus Service has struggled to cope with the sudden increase in students relying on the service since the closure. Questions as to the ability of this bus service to aid all Oppidans have arisen, as the bus only operates from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays and not at all during weekends. In an attempt to reassure the student body on 31 July, Badi stated that: It is our job to safeguard and represent the interests of all students at Rhodes and some have been compromised, especially those living in remoter areas. The inclusion of a question concerning the issue of transport in the Quality of Life survey is an encouraging indication that the University management is paying attention to the grievances aired. That is little consolation however, to students struggling to go about their daily activities.

Arts & Entertainment

8 The Oppidan Press 6 August 2013

Let the Zombie Apocalypse begin

Madness is set to descend upon the Rhodes University campus once more as GameSoc gears up to run Humans vs. Zombies for the third time.
By Joni Lindes orld War Z, Dawn of the Dead and other popular films form part of the zombie hype when has endured for decades. Rhodes University has not escaped this epidemic and will be overrun once more during its annual game of Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ). HvZ is a cat-and-mouse game between two sides. Whether it is keeping your brains from being eaten by the zombie team or avoiding starvation by eating as many brains as possible, students must fight each other in order to survive the games fictitious onslaught. The game was first played in 2005 at Goucher College in Baltimore, USA and has since become a worldwide occurrence. In 2011, Rhodes University GameSoc brought it to campus for the first time. We wanted to do something different, said head of GameSoc William Walters. We wanted something big and fun, and this game was big in the States and the rest of the world. What is really cool is we can get a whole lot of people together, regardless of the res they are in and the subjects they take. It is a great way to meet new people and many friendships develop from the game, Walters explained. Humans vs. Zombies formed part of the ThinkSmart week at the beginning of 2012. It aimed to reinforce the idea of being able to have a good time without engaging in risky behaviour like drugs and alcohol - although HvZ is not without its own risks. The funniest thing I saw was when some girl was running away from a zombie. She jumped over a wall and fell on her stages: first is the incubation stage where an undercover zombie tags as many

we recommend
Comprised of Dan Nel, Joseph Coetzee, Neo Baepi and Jonathan Stein, New Folder is Grahamstowns newest music outfit. The crew has amassed a significant following over a very short period of time and currently have a residency at Olde 65 on a Friday night. They have also performed at My Own Music parties to packed dance floors who have come to love their unique sound and performance style. The music itself is as different and dynamic as the characters who play it. New Folder seems to take courageous musicmaking very seriously and the crew members are all intent on discovering and performing new, unique music with their personal stamp attached to it. Even though the core of the acts allure comes from the individual flavour present in the acts, the strength of it comes from their identity as a musical unit. Each member seems to play off the sets of the others, producing a smooth transition from act to act which is often difficult to achieve. As the act grows, it is not clear whether they will take on new members. Either way, it is clear that as long as New Folder continues to polish their already sophisticated act, they are likely to remain a crowd favourite. Well known for his behind the scenes sound technician work, as well as for organising events such as Acoustic Night at Olde 65, Jack Kaminski is making a name for himself as a DJ too. Kaminski organised and performed at Champs most recent Swing Party, which provided the Grahamstown crowds with a well-polished, enjoyable introduction to the electro-swing genre. Kaminskis following comes from his ability to find gaps in the market. He has succeeded in creating a new home for acoustic artists as well as presenting the swing genre to a generally unadventurous listening public. In addition to these achievements, Kaminski (to our knowledge) has not adopted a DJ alias or changed his look to match his public profile a trend which often seems to mark the success of Grahamstown music acts. This is particularly endearing for audiences, who seem to respond positively to his laid-back approach. Kaminski represents the type of music professional who genuinely seems committed to his craft and his audience. With Acoustic Nights at Olde 65 going from strength to strength and another swing party planned for spring, Kaminski looks set to become a firm favourite on the Grahamstown music scene.

Compiled by Binwe Adebayo Justin Le Roux, or Loud Lungs, has two distinct qualities which have contributed to his notoreity as a DJ, both locally and, increasingly, nationally. Firstly, Le Roux is a crowd favourite. After winning Monasterys New Bloods DJ competition for novice DJs, it was clear his music is what people want to hear. Secondly, Le Roux is a game changer. Unlike other DJs who fall into a static genre routine, Le Rouxs act encompasses dubstep and drum and bass elements, but extends itself to include trap and triphop too. Instead of playing to please a crowd with their favourites, the Loud Lungs act is something of a musical learning experience, with audiences and other DJs following his trends. In addition to these qualities, Loud Lungs is also incredibly dedicated to producing original music and mixes. He uses high quality equipment and draws on inspiration from the success of international acts. Loud Lungs performs frequently at Monastery, but has also performed in Port Elizabeth and Durban, along with artists such Miki San from Guns n Lazers. With this amount of hard work and star power, it is no surprise that Loud Lungs has garnered a firm fan base in Grahamstown and beyond.

NEW FOLDER

Jack Kaminski

Loud Lungs

Illustration: Flickr/Scabeater

face, said Kyle Wallace, a member of the games administrative crew. From Monday 5 August to Friday 10 August, HvZ will take over the campus. Every lecture youre in, youre constantly looking over your shoulder. Casual walks to lectures become something else entirely, explained administrative crew member Justin Stone. A lot of people dress up in crazy costumes, especially on the last mission or at the after-party. The game will be divided into three

humans as possible; then follows an all-out war in the apocalypse stage where the zombies try to take over and the humans use socks to stun them in defence; after a week of tag the game ends in a final night mission where there can only be one winner: humans or zombies. Let the invasion begin.

Arts & Entertainment Moor: a modern twist on a classic piece

By Brendon Peel dimly lit stage draped in red, white and black set a macabre scene for Jess Harrisons production Moor: a twisted and modernised version of Shakespeares Othello. In it, contemporary art form and unusual theatre techniques collided with the work of the famous playwright to bring this Grahamstown National Arts Festival production to life. Moor chose to focus on more than just the storyline of Othello and also highlighted the racial themes that run throughout the production. An ever-contentious issue in this country, this racial focus brought the production closer to the South African audience. Reflecting on the topic, Harrison stated, I have tried to create something thought-provoking and beautiful. Harrisons show also made changes to Shakespeares original by using African languages and modern terms throughout the production. Some characters spoke little to no English. However, language proved no barrier as audience members could rely on body language and tone of voice to remain fully aware of what was happening. Moor was created with a focus on the physical. Many scenes involved lifts, jumps and other movement techniques, all of which were executed effortlessly by the cast. A mixture of voice techniques and beat-boxing were also incorporated into the show. I thought Moor was really great all round, I was really entertained throughout the performance, said audience member and drama student Bridget Penny. The villainous Iago was one character that was drastically changed from Shakespeares original, played in Harrisons piece by a black, lesbian female, speaking isiXhosa. Such interesting twists from the original Othello lent a more contemporary South African theme to the play, concentrating on the themes of culture and diversity. All of this added to a final product rendered expressively and thoughtprovokingly through artful acting and directing. Tackling a Shakespearean classic was always going to be a difficult task, but Harrison pulled it off almost flawlessly, keeping the audience surprised and engaged in every scene. Harrison shifted the masterpiece, delivering an interesting piece of theatre. The play was presented at the National Arts Festival and will be reworked for the forthcoming year.

6 August 2013 The Oppidan Press

Moor, a Rhodes University production, was performed at the National Arts Festival. Photo: KIRSTEN MAKIN/CUEPIX

Ubom! set to take its final curtain call

By Charles Mackenzie This August, eleven years since its inception, Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company will close its curtains for the final time. Ubom! was established in 2003 under the direction of drama lecturer and theatre maker Janet Buckland and served to showcase both local community professionals as well as Rhodes University graduates. As a non-profit organisation focusing on development and creating growth in the arts environment in the Eastern Cape, Ubom! is unique in its industry. Founded with the help and funding of the National Arts Council and National Lottery Board, Ubom! was supported by Rhodes Universitys Drama department, which provided them with a stage and facilities free of charge. According to Buckland, Ubom! maintained a good relationship with the funders, continuing to deliver all the while. The company was immensely popular within the Grahamstown community and received awards such as the Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award. Ubom! proved to be unlike most theatre companies. It aimed to make its productions accessible to people from all socio-economic backgrounds, staging shows in state-of-the-art theatres, sports fields and animal enclosures - charging little to nothing for its performances. Ubom! also facilitated side projects, one of which was the Vuka drama

Ubom! performs Betti and the Yeti at the National Arts Festival. The drama company will be closing down. Photo: Alexa Sedgwick/CUEPIX

workshops. These were conducted in various township schools and the Grahamstown prison. The workshops done in the prison focused on encouraging creativity in an effort to push for effective rehabilitation. Buckland was careful to ensure there was enough money to keep Vuka going, despite Ubom!s closure. She stated that the Makana Development Festival which focuses on developing community theatre through assistance and skills workshops would run for the next five years although she herself will no longer oversee the production. Its time for new blood, she explained. Thus far, no real explanation has been given as to why Ubom!s funding was withdrawn. Buckland stated however, that she had been aware for a while that funding was drying up and that the actors contracts have only been extended until the end of August. Buckland was initially optimistic that funding would come through and that someone new would step in to take the reins, but that was not the case. Speaking of her plans for the future, Buckland said, There are lots of things I want to do and can do, such as teaching and directing. But it is not about me. I am fine. Its more about losing the company and the various people who are affected as a result. According to Buckland, ViceChancellor Saleem Badat is extremely concerned about this news, as Ubom! has a great legacy and reputation. Badat is said to be in talks regarding suggestions and possibilities for a plan of action.

Opinion

10

The Oppidan Press 6 August 2013

The Oppidan Press

Stepping into the office during this editions paste-up weekend was an unusual experience. Spread out on the floor atop old copies of the paper sat various members of The Oppidan Press team, lips pursed and frowns fixed, deliberately folding squares of newspaper into origami flowers and paper maching balloons into piatas. The team was busy with the preparation of a somewhat uncommon distribution week. 2013 has proved to be a productive year for The Oppidan Press thus far. Six editions printed, an online presence that is stronger than ever, developments in multimedia and the all-new OppiTV channel, are but some of the achievements we are grateful to list. In light of all this, difficulties that rendered us unable to print this edition in hardcopy were received by our team as an opportunity to take time out and pay it forward. The past semester has seen our Community Engagement project revived, with ten learners from local youth development project Upstart coming on board as Oppidan Press interns. A series of workshops have been organised to teach these young writers a bit about running a student publication and to develop extensive portfolios, which may assist them should they choose to pursue journalism in the future. Though the managerial and editorial teams, as well as our writers, have been hugely supportive of the Intern programme, we felt there was more we could do to get a dialogue going between the intern community and our own. For the next week we will be focusing on having our team engage with the interns and the schools that they come from. We will be taking old editions of the Oppidan Press to the Joza Youth Hub and surrounding schools that are looking for reading material as well as opening up this Saturdays intern workshop to any Upstarters eager to join. The team plans to facilitate a journalistic scavenger hunt. The interns will be given clues and sent all over campus to complete tasks in interviewing, editing, photography, film, and review. The team that completes the race fastest will take home a prize, but everyone will take home a booklet of advice on writing for different beats in a student publication, compiled by our section editors. So how does all this relate to the hipster craft store that was our office this past weekend? Publishing online obviously poses a few problems for visibility, but we needed to make sure the paper was seen. If you are reading this now, you were perhaps the lucky recipient of an origami flower fashioned from our old editions or one of those to nab a read me treat from the Oppi piata. Know that in getting that little reminder to you, our team went beyond what is ordinarily asked of them and that they will be using the time made available by publishing online to take our Intern Programme even further.

ILLUSTRATION: AMY SLATEM

Buying economic freedom?

By Andrew Tudhope Response to Why are young people buying into Malemas party? fter attending a Rhodes roundtable on involvement in youth politics hosted by Dr Nomalanga Mkhize, it was encouraging at first to come across a Thoughtleader article on political involvement written by former Rhodes graduate. The articles writer Malaika wa Azania is one of the founding members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a new political party led by such high profile personalities as Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu and now financed by Kenny Kunene. The media has run enough stories about the various flaws and failings of the characters leading the EFF and it is not the purpose of this column to give them any more access to the alreadybiased media spotlight. Let us rather look at the involvement of young, highly educated and politically aware people within the ranks of a party that has been told, in no uncertain terms, to EFF off. If we are to believe Malaika (and at this stage we have no reason not to) in two weeks the party gathered more than 5000 volunteers from across all racial backgrounds, classes and strata of society. This is an impressive feat in an increasingly disparate South African political landscape. Both Malaika and this column were left asking the same question of such sterling statistics: why are so many diverse people keen to join the economic freedom vehicle? Just what the difference is between such a vehicle and the gravy train will be left unanswered for now. Malaika argues that, There is no one reason why the EFF has found the support of so many people, the youth in particular. There are a number of factors that contribute to this reality. The one obvious factor is that our people feel let down and taken advantage of by the ANC. Now beyond the partys problematic leaders and their hodgepodge of socialistic, nationalising rhetoric and capitalistic actions, this seems to be a major problem. The former Rhodes student admits

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details

Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Deputy Editor: Kyla Hazell. Managing Editor: Jamie Bezuidenhout. Advertising Manager: Matthew Barbosa. Marketing Manager: Tariro Mhiti. Executive Consultant: Kirsten Makin. Online Editor: Stuart Lewis. Assistant Online Editor: Chelsea Haith. Multimedia Manager: Charles Mackenzie. Webmaster: Thandile Pambuka. News Features Editor: Tegan Scales. Assistant News Features Editor: Amanda Xulu. Environment Editor: Jordan du Toit. Politics Editor: Tarryn de Kock. Assistant Politics Editor: Emily Corke. Opinion Editor: Andrew Tudhope. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jessica van Tonder. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Dirk Steynberg. SciTech Editor: Lethabo Ntshudisane. Business Editor: Mudiwa Gavaza Sports Editor: Andrew Tombs. Chief Photo Editors: Josh Oates, Robynne Peatfield. Assistant Chief Photo Editor: Michelle Cunliffe. Chief Sub-Editors: Kate-Lyn Moore, Matthew de Klerk, Lucy Holford-Walker. Sub-Editors: Kaitlin Cunningham, Fabio De Dominicis, Alexa Sedgwick, Amanda Murimba. Chief Designer: Chevawn Blum. Senior Designers: Aimee de la Harpe, Jehan Ara Khonat. Junior Designers: Lucy Holford-Walker, Madien van der Merwe, Hannah McDonald, Amy Davidson. Illustrator: Amy Slatem. Community Engagement Officer: Mitchell Parker. Letters to the Editor: editor@oppidanpress.com Advertising details: advertising@oppidanpress.com www.oppidanpress.com www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/oppidanpress

The Oppidan Press publishes letter 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 in 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. Letters that do not make it into our print edition will be published on our website.

that there is a vacuum left by the ANCs slide away from moral authority and that the EFF is just one in a long line of breakaway parties in the same sort of mould as Congress of the People. Moreover, Julius Malema is a leader born and bred within the power structures of the ANC. Personality aside, this means that he suffers from precisely the same problem as Terror Lekota. Having been raised within the ANC, it is difficult to see how Malemas leadership, and not just his rhetoric, would change the status quo in a truly beneficial and equitable way. For instance, Malaika writes that levels of poverty and unemployment have increased under the leadership of the ruling party, while those who sit in upper echelons of power live in vulgar opulence. It should be unnecessary to point out the irony in such a claim when written by a supporter of Malema, Shivambu and Kunene et al. However, to give Malaika her due, she does, to an extent, point out the flaws of both Malema and Shivambu. This leaves us with an interesting quandary: either the supporters of EFF are aware of the leaderships failings and choose to ignore them, or they have nowhere else to turn. The first option is almost inconceivable EFF has been formed, in part, because of the damage being done by corrupt and inefficient leadership; to ignore it within ones own ranks is surely suicidal. This must mean, given the writers education and obvious knowledge of and involvement in South African politics, that she has nowhere else to turn to. The Democratic Alliance (DA), while slowly changing its face, is still seen by many as protecting elite, rich capital. Although young, black leadership coming through its ranks may well change this perception before long, it remains in the back of many minds, especially the disenfranchised youth. The truth seems to be that the days of mass political movements and uprisings are over. They were a useful instrument with which to fight the apartheid forces, but seem to decline into factionalism and personality politics when faced with more abstracted issues like education, economic policy

and good governance. The Arab Spring, to my mind, only shows how necessary it is for the youth to move beyond politics to secure their future. Where does this leave us? Please do not misunderstand my intentions here: I do not want to appear overly critical of Malaikas stance or actions I think the fact that she is willing to be part of founding a new party and to then express an opinion puts her far above many other Rhodes students, who only discuss politics at the Rat on Fridays. In its own way, such politics is far more simplistic, populist and one-sided than anything Malema has to say. That said, I feel this action is misplaced and that the justification Malaika provides seems lacking. The answer to our countrys woes does not lie in supporting another obviously corrupt and inefficient leader who comes from the ranks of a disease-ridden ANC, no matter what the EFFs manifesto might claim about their aim. The truth is that we do not require a revolution we require a change of mindset and one which will not be achieved politically. Civil society seems a good place to start from, and it is perhaps in such a sector that the youth should look to become involved, rather than yet another splinter party. Civil society does not suffer from the same intolerance and competition as political bodies and forums do. It serves as a non-partisan platform from which all may do their piece to improve the country we all feel we are a part of. Indeed, it served as the foundation for some of the most important and non-aligned anti-apartheid movements, such as one United Democratic Movement. It is ultimately the non-alignment that should interest us most, for more and more we are coming to realise that while we support some of the ANCs policies, we are not ANC supporters. While we enjoy some of the DAs opposition and governance in the Western Cape, we are not DA supporters. While we like the idea of the EFF, we are also painfully aware that, if the EFF can take the economic freedom struggle programme to its logical conclusion and do things right it will most certainly not result in economic equality and bread for all. The implication in the title - buying into Malemas party - says it all.

6 August 2013

Perfect balance on and off the court

Sport

The Oppidan Press

11

By Travis Bamford ithout a doubt, being a full-time student is a tough task - from classes and research, to tests and assignments, for most people no week is ever really smooth sailing. Add the pressure of an international sports career and youll have an inkling of what 21-year-old Nobubele Phuza has navigated week in and week out for the past two and a half years. The third-year Geology major and South African u21 netball player from Harding, KwaZulu-Natal is in the last stretch of what has been nothing short of a spectacular effort both in the classroom and on the court. She maintains however, that although it has been a tough journey, she has loved every minute of it. Im living my dream, Phuza said with a smile. This really is everything Ive wanted for some time now. Phuza is no stranger to the higher standards of sporting excellence, having represented South Africa in basketball in 2009 and 2010. Her sights shifted to netball after she matriculated from Pietermaritzburg Girls High School in 2010 and she has gone from strength to strength since arriving at Rhodes University. I first wanted to experience playing

Nobubele Phuza has been appointed to the South African u21 netball team. Photo: SUPPLIED

in a South African netball tournament and even captain a team in one. That was my goal initially, Phuza explained. She quickly reached that goal. Fantastic performances in games and tournaments throughout 2012 saw Phuza selected for the u21 SA team earlier this year. She is now preparing for a tournament in Glasgow that will run from 22 to 31 August. Thats what Im focused on right now, apart from studying, she insists. Phuza will also be part of the 2014 University Sports South Africa (USSA) Squad that will compete in Russia next year. She emphasises how much of an inspiration her teammates and her competition are to her, stating that they help to keep her motivated even just by thinking about them. They make me want to work a lot harder, you know? she said. I think of the sacrifices that some of them have made to keep their place on this team a number of them have even put their studies on hold to pursue this, so I also feel obligated not to let them down. She also mentioned how uplifting it was for her to meet her national team heroine, Precious Mthembu. Shes another KZN girl, a local hero and a fantastic player. Having sat down with her to have coffee and just chat was such an awesome experience. Phuza is also very grateful for the

Its really tough sometimes here at Rhodes, sportingwise. There are not as many experts and trainers that one can make use of
- Nobubele Phuza

help with her netball career that she has received from certain individuals at Rhodes. She praised the work of Rhodes University Health Suite Staff member Antonio Blom, whose influence and expertise have helped her to maintain her high level of performance. Its really tough sometimes here at Rhodes, sporting-wise. There are not as many experts and trainers that one can make use of in the same way that you can in bigger places in South Africa. Ive been fortunate to work with Antonio as well as people in the Psychology Department in order to keep my mental strength and focus up too. Phuza has definitely managed the balance between work and play nearly perfectly and serves as an ideal example of what the age-old recipe of sheer grit, determination and discipline are still capable of conjuring up. This young lady is one to look out for in the future.

Heathens emerge victorious

By Douglas Smith The second round of Internal Rugby League fixtures took place on 2 August at the Great Field. In the first match of the evening defending Internal League Champions Heathens ran out 34-21 victors over Founders Hall in an exciting game of rugby. Heathens came out firing and scored an early try through flank Tai Higgo. Minutes after, Heathens scrumhalf Lloyd Gluckman made a sharp snipping run-off from a lineout move and managed to throw the flip pass inside to flyhalf Matt King who finished off the try. Heathens number 11 Ryan Dewey was successful with the second of the conversion attempts and pushed Heathens lead to 13-0 in the first few minutes of the game. Founders managed to shake the shock of conceding two early tries and began to put together some attacking play of their own. They were awarded a penalty try for their efforts when King slapped the ball down deliberately in front of the poles. Winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo knocked the conversion over and Founders were back in the game at 13-8. Heathens wasted no time in replying to Founders retaliation and scored their third try shortly after conceding the penalty try. Fullback Daniel van der Vyver made a marvellous run down the right hand touchline, through a questionable Founders defence and offloaded the ball to Higgo who fended off three Founders players before scoring his second try. Dewey missed the conversion attempt, so the score stayed at 18-8. The momentum of the game continued to swing in pendulum fashion after the restart, with Founders right back on the attack. Prop forward Uva Ngatjizeko kicked through a loose ball on the halfway line and chased it fiercely. The faster Heathens backline players reached the ball before him, but fumbled it around over their try-line, giving Ngatjizeko just enough of a gap to pounce on the ball and steal a second try for Founders. Chitokwindo was unable to add the extra points. An exciting first half was brought to a close with the score at 18-13. The second half was messier than the first, but brought with it more tries. Heathens scored their fourth try when they caught Founders offguard with a quick throw in, which allowed Heathens number 2 Devon McMahon to run 50m untouched and score next to the poles. Dewey added the extra three points and the Heathens lead rolled over to 26-13. Founders were again able to reply shortly after. A clean looking backline move gave the fullback enough space to get around the outside and score Founders third try of the match. Chitokwindo slotted the tricky shot at the goal to make the score 26-21 with ten mintues to go. Founders fought valiantly, but the defending champs held off long enough to clinch victory and even managed to score a fifth try to throw salt in the wounds of their opposition seconds before the final whistle. Winger Rogan Cowan scored the five pointer and added the extra three points himself to round off a strong first performance by Heathens. The end score was 34-21. Heathens coach Andrew Beer credited his sides hard work in preparation for the season as being the reason behind their winning performance. Founders were really strong; they put up a good fight. To go five tries to three against them was a great effort, said Beer. In the second game of the evening The Hill took an unconvincing 29-0 win over Eastern Swallows. An uneventful first half ended with the score at 4-0 in favour of The Hill, thanks to two penalties from number 15 Josh Devis. Hill managed to get their act together in the second half and ended up scoring four tries. Their tries were scored by Kieran Chant OFlaherty (no.1), Michael Theron (no.14), Moses Lusinga (no.5) and Devis, who also kicked over a conversion and a penalty in the second half of play. Lusinga said after the game that it was a particularly physical clash, but he and his teammates stuck it out, put in the hits and came out on top.

Ethan Brownhill, the Founders flyhalf, during the Internal Rugby League on 2 August. Photo: IVAN BLAZIC

Rhodes reflects on Turkish unrest

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Sports

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The Grahamstown Bodybuilding Championships took place at the Recreational Hall in Albany Road on Sunday 28 July. It was hosted by Makana Natural Bodybuilding Club. Photo: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Sport safety should be a priority

By Mthabisi Sithole o matter the level of competition, participant safety at any sporting event should be high up on the agenda. Unfortunately for student competitors, safety is not always assured at Rhodes inter-residence sporting events. While sports such as hockey and rugby always have first-aid practitioners present, other clubs such as the Rhodes University Mountain Club (RUMC) have only recently followed suit, despite major injuries ocurring in the past. Members of the St John Ambulance Centre are only deployed to oversee the safety of sports participants at Rhodes University when they have been specifically contacted by the sporting club or sports administrators. Their presence at the latest interresidence mountain climbing event was no surprise considering the injury

Dumisani Payi of Guy Butler House participated in the inter-residence rock climbing that took place on Saturday 27 July. Saftey at sporting events has become a high priority after a student was injured at a wall-climbing practice last year. Photo: Travis Butler

of student Stephanie Stretch. Stretch fell during a wall-climbing practice last year and severed three ligaments in her leg because the landing mats had been removed. Stretch was adamant that safety must be a major priority in sporting events, stating, safety is often relegated to a position of secondary importance, rather than being the central concern. For risky sports like climbing I think that those involved - participants and organisers - may have made the mistake of failing to err on the side of caution, she continued. I don't know if the committee members of societies involving sports like climbing are given specific instructions regarding safety, but if this does not occur it is possibly an area which requires addressing. Co-director of RUMC David Harding expressed pleasure that administrators are taking safety more seriously. We generally dont have anyone here

to make sure everything is fine safetywise but Im glad that admin finally made the call to get the St John guys down here, he said. Centre Manager for St John Mario Viljoen oversaw the first-aid team during this years inter-residence rockclimbing competition. At St John we train first-aid clubs from everywhere, to the extent that they sometimes come and join the organisation after they complete their training. We are responsible for training the universitys first aid-club as well, Viljoen said. Should coordinating with St John for all university sport prove difficult, the Rhodes University first-aid club is a possible avenue of support. The presence of individuals who have the expertise required to look after sporting participants within the university means there is one less excuse for sporting safety to be disregarded.