Edition 6, 27 May 2009
3 >> Meet the new cabinet
Take a look at President Jacob Zuma’s new cabinet
Distribution subsidised by the Oppidan Committee and the South African Post Office.
Pics: Gcobani Qambela
Oppies decide where the grass is greener
The Oppidan Press investigated some of the challenges faced by Oppidans living in the township, compared with those living in
central Grahamstown.
Gcobani Qambela
F
or most Oppies at Rhodes, getting from digs
to lectures and back again takes a matter of
minutes. However, for a few students this pro-
cess can take hours. Third year BA student, Mandisa
Maggwaxaza is in her first year in digs, and lives in
Vukani Township. “I have to stay til late on campus
to get the Oppi Bus but this has actually helped
me in that it pushes me to fully utilise my day and
work harder,” she said. Unathi Vimbani, a third year
BSocSci student has stayed in Joza for two years. He
found the campus environment too constraining in
first year and chose to stay in the township. “Coming
from the township myself, I like the vibe ekasi (in
the township). However, because I live close to the
‘hot spot’, it becomes difficult to study on weekends
because of the high noise levels. Thus I mostly use
the library during the day to study.”
Vimbani complains that the Oppi Bus takes too
long to get him home late at night. “Sometimes you
arrive so late that you are so tired from being in
the bus and you can’t really do anything but sleep,”
he says. But he adds that “contrary to common
conception that crime is very high in the township,
6 >> Arts festival fever hits G’town
Check out our in-depth preview of the National Arts Festival
it’s really not that dangerous. I am not merely a
student staying there, but I’m part of the township.
I am familiar with most people in the area I stay in,
and we’ve never once been robbed or broken into. I
will stay in the township until I finish my studies at
Rhodes, I am happy there”.
Third year BCom Oppidan, Nkandu Clubuye
contends that staying in the centre of town does
not necessarily mean the grass is greener. She states
that security is a big concern in her digs in African
Street, as they have already had an attempted break-
in this year. “We do not have the benefit of CPU on
our doorsteps like most students in res,” she said.
THE GREAT DIVIDE
Many Oppidans face
a lengthy commute
to campus everyday
from their township
digs. Rather than
stay in the centre of
town, these Oppies
feel happy and secure
with township living.
Despite this, Clubuye still prefers being in digs: “I
feel more at home in digs. There are lots of things
I can do in digs that I can’t do in res – like baking,”
she said.
Bongiwe Bozo, a post-graduate student who is in
her first year in digs feels that digs life is not for her.
“Just last Friday (8 May) the outside flat in my digs
in Beaufort Street was broken into, and I never had
to worry about security when I was in res,” she said.
“The only positive side to living in digs is that it has
matured me, I have learnt to spend my money more
wisely, but if I continue at Rhodes next year, I am
definitely moving back to res.”
2 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09
Get spotted
Robyn McCormick
The Galela Amanzi Get Spotted Cam-
paign which took place on Saturday 16
May saw groups of students dashing
around town, cameras in tow, perform-
ing a series of strange acts.
Some were spotted “grabbing a
random’s bum”, others “riding in a trolley
filled with toilet paper”, and two male
students were even seen outside Pepper
Grove Mall trading clothes with two
laughing school girls.
Nikki Rushmere, the creator and
project manager of Galela Amanzi,
explained that the antics were all for
a good cause. The money raised from
the project will go towards funding the
installation of two R5 500 water tanks
at the Andrew Moyake School in Fingo
Village.
Nomfuneko Royi, a teacher at the
school said: “We only have two taps
for around two hundred children. It’s
not enough.” Royi explained that some
children at the school suffer from TB
and HIV, and they need clean water to
Exam timetable provokes discontent
Jade Smith
Rhodes forums have been buzzing lately
with concerns about exam timetable
clashes and the registrar’s response to
complaints.
A forum member known as ‘7W33K’
questioned the fairness of writing two
exams on one day, or in this specific case,
three major subject exams in 48 hours.
7W33K said that this could be detrimen-
tal to students’ marks, especially for final
years. “An unsatisfactory exam timetable
can be the difference between a pass and
a fail. So what is the Registrar’s Office
Nude, lewd and misconstrued
Gcobani Qambela
The My Body – My Choice exhibition
was a highly contested topic on campus
over the past two weeks. Conceptual-
ised by Elizabeth Vale and Kwezilomso
Mbandazayo, the display featured a
group of about 90 naked female stu-
dents and some staff members holding
strategically placed placards.
Mbandazoyo said the exhibition
aimed to highlight the plight of abused
women in South Africa. “Womyn’s bod-
ies are a sight of struggle; we are taught
and told that our bodies do not belong
to us. The way in which we present
ourselves has been used to justify sexual
violence committed by the ‘masculine’
on the ‘feminine’. Questions like ‘what
was she wearing?’ should have no place
in a country that is committed to ensur-
ing equality for all.”
Sibongile Mahlangu, a third year
BCom student who went to the exhibi-
tion with some of her male classmates
said, “I don’t think they [the men] get
it, they talked about the chicks they
know, and the great bodies some of the
women had, and their ‘lovehandles’ – I
didn’t hear any of them talking about
sexual violence inflicted on women”.
A second year BSocSci male student,
who wished to remain anonymous, felt
stay healthy.
The water at the school is so limited
that toilets have been locked, forcing
the children to relieve themselves on the
ground next to the playing field. One of
the learners, Sisipho Phongolo said “the
toilets are stinky, and they don’t work, so
the little ones have to relieve themselves
here”.
It is hoped that the two water tanks
that Galela Amanzi will install at the
school will provide water for sanitation,
as well as a reliable supply in the event
of more water cuts, which have been
prevalent recently.
But the Galela Amanzi Project still
needs help. “We have the expertise, we
have everything, we just need the funds,”
said Rushmere. After investigating con-
ditions at the school, it is obvious that
the Rhodes students who made fools of
themselves did so for a good cause.
doing about this obviously important
issue? Nothing.”
However, Registrar Stephen Fourie
said that the majority of students have
a reasonable timetable. “The exam
timetable is created using fairly sophis-
ticated software. It creates a timetable
that produces the best solution for the
greatest number of students. But given
the number of days available, it cannot
create an ideal timetable for everyone,”
Fourie explained.
‘7W33K’ has invited students with
clashes to sign a petition which will be
presented to the Dean of Students, the
Registrar’s Office, the Vice-Chancellor
Pic: Gcobani Qambela
the exhibition was too Americanised.
“They can’t use American tactics on
African soil. The exhibition for me was
just a chance to see some fine women.
I think if they were wearing one colour
like black or white with the placards, I
would have focused more on the mes-
sage than their bodies.” Mbandazayo
said there had been other similar com-
plaints about the exhibition, and that all
comments were welcomed. However,
“if [womyn] are guaranteed freedom of
movement, then they should be able to
Got news? Send your news story ideas to us and we will consider
them for publication. news@theoppidanpress.com.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Students spent a day performing crazy antics in aid of Galele Amanzi, a project that installs water tanks at
township schools. Goldilocks and the Three Bears was the winning team.
and the SRC.
However, Fourie says that a petition
about the timetable will be “pointless
unless it is about a longer exam period”.
He is aware that the June timetable
forces 240 students to write two papers
on the same day. 725 students will have
one free session between papers. At the
other end of the spectrum, 593 students
will have 20 open sessions between
papers.
Isabel Rawlins will write Geography 2
and English 2 exams on the same day. “I
think it’s unfair,” said Rawlins. “I under-
stand that so many students have to be
accommodated but I don’t believe that
BODY ART
The My Body
– My Choice
exhibition, which
displayed naked
female students
and staff holding
stragetically placed
placards, has
been criticised for
failing to convey
its message
effectively.
do this [pose nude]”.
Third year BBS student, Rudo Chin-
gono said the exhibition could be mis-
construed from an African perspective.
But, she said that “being a person com-
ing from a social activist background, I
can understand what they are trying to
do and I support it, and although there
might be perverts out there, I think the
‘normal’ guy at Rhodes would get the
message as well, despite his moral stand
point”.
my combination of subjects is strange
enough to be on the same day.”
Some of the crowding has been
caused not by the timetable design but
by academic departments demanding
changes for various reasons, such as a
lecturer being away at a conference.
Another reason Fourie stated was
that, unlike most universities, Rhodes
allows a very large combination of sub-
jects in most curricula. Another Rhodes
forum user ‘mary shelley’, agreed,
pointing out that at other universities,
the exam timetable is set at the begin-
ning of the year and subject choices
are then decided around the timetable.
Enjoy swot week while you can
Gcobani Qambela
The 2009 student body might be the
last to see swot week, as was revealed in
the General Student Body Meeting on
Thursday 14 May held in the General
Lecture Theatre.
SRC President, Kholosa Loni presided
over the meeting, attended by nearly 40
students. Various issues were discussed,
such as the Constitution of Student
Government Amendments and how the
upcoming strike by workers will affect
students. But the most contentious issue
on the floor was the suggestion by the
Registrar’s Division to change swot week
to ‘swot days’ from 2010 onwards.
According to Loni, this means that
the full week previously dedicated to
studying for exams will be “broken down
into two swot days and then four days
of exams and then another two days to
study for exams, and four days of exams,
and so on”. Former SRC President, Xolani
Nyali said that although students fought
hard to be granted swot week, “I would
be able to sacrifice it for the World Cup,
and only if the exams [wouldn’t] be trans-
figured to the point that we have fewer
weeks to study than we did with swot
week,” he said.
SRC Activism and Transformation
CORRECTION: Last edition’s article, ‘What guarantee of safety on Rhodes
campus?’ was written by Gcobani Qambela and not Lara Solomon.
Pic: Nicole Venegas
“Some universities simply don’t allow
people to do certain subjects together. I
far prefer our system where we have a lot
of freedom in the courses we want to do,
for the price of a slightly uncomfortable
exam timetable,” she said.
She also said that students should not
blame their timetables but instead work
consistently throughout the term. “You
shouldn’t [start] studying for exams only
when they come around; you should be
using swot week to revise.”
Fourie echoed this statement. “If you
have properly assimilated the learning
material, you do not need time between
papers,” he said.
Officer, Sekoetlane Jacob Phamodi an-
nounced that the Registrar’s Division
has approved the change of swot week to
swot days, and that this will be imple-
mented in 2010. There were plans for a
trial run of the proposed system with
the upcoming 2009 June exams, but the
Registrar’s Division failed to produce
a template of what the actual timetable
would look like.
One of many who expressed dis-
content with this change was honours
student, Siyabonga Yonzi who believes
there wasn’t much transparency or con-
sultation with the student body about the
change. “I want a clear presentation as to
how this thing will work itself out – its
advantages and disadvantages, because at
the moment it sounds all too abstract to
me,” he said.
Third year BA student, Eric Offei was
equally discontented. “The problem is
that the University does not consult the
students. The board can’t make decisions
for us, is this about them or the stu-
dents?” he asked.
But, as Phamodi pointed out, “the
SRC consists of only 15 people, and there
are 6 800 students at Rhodes, and thus
we can’t do anything about the proposed
change unless the students themselves
engage with the SRC”.

Racism. Have you experienced racist discrimination on campus? Let us know.
letters@theoppidnapress.com
The new, the old, and the random
President Zuma has officially announced his new cabinet of 34 ministers. This is an expansion of the previ-
ous administration’s cabinet and numerous new ministries have been created. New appointments are set
to cost our country as much as R1 billion a year. Here is a basic guide to some of JZ’s right hand men and
women. >> Benjamin Fogel and Nonceba Mhlauli
Minister of Basic Education: Angela Motshekga
This position aims to co-ordinate and run
the primary and secondary education institu-
tions throughout the country. Motashekga was
previously a member of the Gauteng Provincial
Government. In this position she will co-ordinate
and organise the national curriculum for primary
schools, the General Education and Training Cer-
tificate (GETC), and Further Education and Train-
ing (FET). Her goal is to increase the number of
successful Matriculants each year.
Minister of Human Settlements: Tokyo Sexwale
Sexwale is one of South Africa’s wealthiest busi-
nessmen and a renowned struggle hero. This
department, formed out of what was previously
the Department of Housing, aims to deal with the
problems of housing in the country. The goals of the
department are to ensure access to basic services in
informal settlements as well as to reduce the num-
ber of squatters and increase the number of houses.
Minister in the Presidency for the National
Planning Commission: Trevor Manuel
Manuel was previously the Minister of Finance. This
new position will allow him to create economic and
social development plans for South Africa, to lessen
the effects of the recession, lessen unemployment,
alleviate poverty and pursue economic growth.
Manuel has a good reputation and has maintained
good connections with business leaders in South Af-
rica. It will be interesting to watch this department.
Minister of Co-Operative Government and
Traditional Affairs: Sicelo Shiceka
This department is aimed at co-ordinating and
ensuring communication between the executive
branch of the government and the various premiers
of the provinces of South Africa. It will be interest-
ing to watch the interaction between Shiceka and
the new Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille.
This department will also deal with traditional
leaders throughout the country and address the
problems facing traditional communities.
Minister of Mining: Susan Shabangu
The Department of Minerals and Energy has
been split into two separate departments, with
Susan Shabangu appointed to oversee the mining
industry .
Deputy President: Kgalema Motlanthe
Motlanthe was the country’s president from Sep-
tember 2008 to April 2009. He became president
after Thabo Mbeki was recalled by the African
National Congress due to party politics. Motlanthe
is also the current ANC Deputy President.
Minister of Higher Education and Training:
Blade Nzimande
Nzimande was previously the Secretary-General of
the South African Communist Party (SACP). This
post aims to co-ordinate and maintain the tertiary
institutions of the country in order to ensure skills
development and growth for South Africa’s youth.
Nzimande is the most ideological of previous educa-
tions ministers. He was always at the forefront of the
Zuma camp during the power struggle with former
president Thabo Mbeki in the run up to the 2007
ANC National conference in Polokwane.
Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People
with Disabilities: Noluthando Mayende-Sibaya
This new department aims to protect the rights of
women, youth, children and the disabled. It seeks
to reduce the endemic abuse of women and chil-
dren in South Africa, as well as abolish discrimi-
nation of the disabled. The department will also
deal with problems facing the youth in a move to
prevent the rise of another ‘lost generation’.
Minister in the Presidency for Performance
Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administra-
tion in the Presidency: Ohm Chabane
This new post aims to evaluate the performance
of the cabinet in order to increase service delivery
and ensure that cabinet ministers remain account-
able for their actions.
Minister of Economic Planning: Ebrahim Patel
Patel was former general secretary of the South-
ern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union
(Sactwu) and has extensive labour experience.
Minister of Energy: Dipuo Peters
Peters takes up this position as a result of the
Department of Minerals and Energy split. She
was previously Premier for the Northern Cape
Provincial Government
Minister of Health: Aaron Motsoaledi
Motsoaledi has a Bachelor of Medicine and a
Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Natal.
He was a former acting premier in the Limpopo
province and was previously also an education
MEC in the same province.
The Oppidan Press 27.05.09 3
Born to kill
Like a lot of people, I was naïve enough
to assume that the Obama administration
would mark a sea-change in US foreign
policy. Then again, anything looks good in
comparison to the Bush junta. With un-
repentant war criminals like Cheney and
Rumsfeld at the helm (and running dogs
like Tony Blair cheering from the sides,
possibly wearing a gimp mask) the world
had not seen such a collection of absolute
bastards since Hitler’s 1942 birthday party.
But the idea that the mayhem of the last
eight years would give the US elite pause
for thought and make them reconsider
their imperial role is a bit optimistic. For
now, it seems like it’s back to the War on
Terror, except with improved public rela-
tions management.
Troops are being poured back into Af-
ghanistan. I suppose the occasional bomb-
ing of civilians is just not enough: you
need marines on the ground to increase
the kill rate. Next door, in Pakistan, arms
and support are being pumped in to feed
the war against the resurgent Taliban. This
whole Pakistan thing is volatile and could
turn nasty, well nastier than it already is,
very quickly. Increased US intervention
is only going to make the situation worse:
Pakistan helped to create the Taliban and is
now reaping the fruits (which is little con-
solation to the half a million people who
have been displaced by the fighting).
The real test of Obama’s foreign policy
is how they deal with the poisonous centre
of the Middle Eastern crisis, the US backed
Israeli occupation of Palestine. And here
again all we see from the president is some
vague mumblings: “Two-state solution…
terrorism… it’s a very complex situation…
our hands are tied”. Well not actually. The
tanks, F-16s and phosphorous grenades
which terrify, strafe, maim, and kill the
citizens of Gaza and the West Bank are the
product of American military aid. If they
really want to stop this conflict they should
start by not paying for it.
And what of Iran? Again, talk of how
they need to stop their nuclear weapons
programe. Again there’s a bit of disparity
here: Iran = 0 nuclear weapons. Israel =
over 200. And it doesn’t help that Hilary
Clinton, now secretary of state, was last
year ranting about wiping Iran “off the
map”.
What else? The extrajudicial rendition
programme is being maintained, CIA
torture sites are still open and evidence
about the extent of this is being oppressed
because, according to Obama, the US
needs to move on from the ‘trauma’ of the
recent past. I would have thought that after
the Invasion and Occupation, it’s Iraqis
who deserve some amnesia. Ask one your-
self . Oh, wait, you can’t – they’re all dead.
Anyone who was worried that the world
might become a slightly more peaceful and
stable place has nothing to fear.
The country that dropped nuclear
bombs on Japan, destroyed Vietnam to
prove a point, and supported the apartheid
government at its height is on the march
again. We can but hope that they really
decide to take things to the next level. My
suggestion: Obama, drop the bomb on
China. I’m sick of this whole being alive
thing.
4 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09
Opinion
It’s that time again
The first semester is coming to an end
and thanks to not so subtle hints from
lecturers, and tutors on our backs about
incomplete assignments, we’re being con-
stantly reminded of our impending fate.
Exam time is really quite an incon-
venience for the socialites amongst us
– Friday nights might now be dominated
by Sigmund Freud over Johnny Walker
and our desks frequented more often
than the Rat.
But perhaps we’re forgetting the real
reason we’re here. As much as we enjoy
living it up in all the pubs and clubs on
New Street, at the end of the day, staying
til closing time at Friars every weekend
is not going to get you a degree, let alone
a job.
Personally, I hate exams (though this
may have something to do with the fact
that I’m not particularly good at them)
but I have also realised that you just can’t
get away from them. Though it may seem
like you’re being punished for having
a bit of fun, or that some evil force has
arrived to spoil the numerous pre-drinks
sessions you could’ve been having in
those four weeks, exams simply have to
happen. It’s all about testing your under-
standing of the work you’ve been taught
since the year began. And at the end
of the day, if they don’t kill you, they’re
bound to make you stronger
Here are a few useful things to keep
in mind to alleviate the awfulness that is
exam time:
Start studying early – You don’t want
to be going through a semester’s worth of
study material in two days, can anyone
say academic suicide?
Use your resources – If you missed
lectures and tuts, ask a friend (assuming
they attended the class). If that fails then
go straight to the lecturer.
Make a study timetable – A form of
procrastination, perhaps, but it’s always
good to know what you’ll be doing when.
Work together – Pick the right people,
preferably the nerdy ones, and you’ll
find that study groups are one of the best
ways of getting to know your material.
Revision – Review all the material at
least once after your main study session.
Ideally, those two days before the exam
should be set aside for revision when all
the theory has sunk in.
Practice run – Get keen and think
up a few questions you might be asked
on you exam. The library has past exam
papers which you can photocopy, or look
at the online version on the library web-
site. Lecturers have been known to repeat
questions; it’s just a matter of which ones.
Keep cool and calculated – you know
the work; you’ve been doing it since Feb-
ruary. Don’t let nerves be the end of you.
All that remains then is to wish you
the very best of luck!
Tumelo Tladi
072 589 7230
editor@theoppidanpress.com
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Is anyone listening?
Leigh Hermon
In light of the recent One-in-Nine
protest, a reflection on the ANC’s
comments at an election debate earlier
this year, is warranted.
The debate was held on the Rhodes
campus and provided a platform for
students to question leaders of various
political parties on issues involving
the student body. Towards the end,
the debate became unpleasant when
the ANC representative answered a
question on rape.
When asked how the ANC would
provide support to survivors of rape,
the ANC representative accused woman
Studying with the Spirit
Itumeleng Mohlabane
It’s that time of the year again when we
need to knuckle down and get serious.
It’s that time that comes around twice
a year when we rediscover our purpose
for getting an education, and remind
ourselves why we are at this university. praise him.” It is when pressure mounts
Exam time – when exuberant
jaunting comes to a sudden halt as we
begin to realise that the prospects for
our future rest on absorbing all the
information we should have learnt
during the term. There are suddenly
Letters to the editor >>
I would have kept the Benz
Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele has
returned the R1.14 million Mercedes-
Benz he received as a gift from a group of
contractors.
This comes in the wake of opposition
parties and analysts intensifying their
calls for Ndebele to give up the car as it
“constitutes a conflict of interest”. He was
presented with a Mercedes-Benz S500 by
Vukuzakhe contractors during a function
to honour him in Pietermaritzburg at
the weekend. He also received a plasma
screen TV and two cows!
Personally, I think he should have
kept it. The “conflict of interest theory”
is overplayed! The minister went public
with his gift. The contractors were just
showing their appreciation. If this was
bribery surely both the minister and
Community Engagement: Nicole Wilson
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Environment Editor: Nicole Venegas
Features Editor: Sarah Cohen
of inviting men with their dress and
behaviour. However, this view is not
held by all ANC members.
Nomaindia Mfeketo, chairperson of
the ANC Caucus, presented a speech
at a debate during the Sixteen Days
of Activism For No Violence against
Women and Children.
She reported that the Department
of Health had devised a policy to
provide “high quality” sexual assault
assistance to rape survivors. Mfeketo
also mentioned a movement amongst
men against gender-based violence,
that is working with the media to
establish a new image of men in South
Africa. She mentioned that there would
be changes in how the media accuse
women of encouraging rape with their
neither enough hours in the day to get
through those huge text books, nor
enough series to justify procrastinating.
But there is help at hand. Psalm 28:7
says: “The Lord is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusted in him, and I
am helped: therefore my heart greatly
rejoiceth; and with my song will I
and we feel that we cannot cope, that
drawing inspiration and strength from
scriptures is amazingly beneficial.
There are many voices of failure out
there in the world, and it is important
that we cultivate the right environment
the contractors would have been smart
enough to keep the matter out of the
public eye? Must the media and the so-
called political analysts always expect the
worst of our political leaders?
Not too long ago, the South African
media was very critical of Zuma and in-
stilled fear in most white South Africans
about his presidency. But now if one
analysed the content of leading newspa-
pers, one would note that there has been
a change of heart after his inauguration.
They liked his inauguration speech, they
liked the “balance” of the cabinet, and
they are calling for people to give him a
chance.
I, for one, am not surprised that the
press has had a change of heart. We have
seen it all before: leading white-owned
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clothing and conduct.Despite Mfeketo’s
efforts, the statement by the ANC
representative at the debate is cause for
concern. This view amongst certain
ANC members does not provide any
sort of hope for survivors of rape. Many
women may survive this terrible crime,
but the crime may not be reported to
the police, allowing rapists to remain
in society with the potential of hurting
others.
The ANC vows to provide adequate
tools to those who deal with rape
survivors. The justice system is said to
be “toughening up” on gender-based
violence in an effort to protect the
rights of women.
These are all promises, but when will
the women of South Africa feel their
for ourselves. Surround yourself with
people who motivate and encourage –
the scripture above shows us how The
Lord is one of them.
No matter how desperate you may feel,
do not panic, God is there to guide you
and his word should motivate you to
work like you have never worked before.
Confess to yourself that The Lord
is your strength and shield. Ask God
to help you manage your time and be
disciplined in your study schedule, and
to give you a clear understanding of
your work.
Doing this, you will notice you gain
dailies predicted doom and gloom when
the black government came to power.
But after Mandela became president they
had a change of heart and now everyone
loves Mandela!
The same thing happened with the
2010 world cup. SA media ran stories of
problems with stadiums and how FIFA
has a “plan B”, but now that all is seem-
ingly on track we don’t hear about it.
Meanwhile, Hellen Zille has really
damaged her integrity by appointing an
all male cabinet dominated by whites.
The Mail & Guardian had a fitting
headline, “Return of the white men”, for
a story covering Zille’s white male domi-
nated cabinet.
Another issue which is sure to hurt
Zille’s political career is her continued
Letters to the Editor:
letters@theoppidanpress.com
Editorial complaints: r.brand@ru.ac.za
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effects? The One-in-Nine campaign
effectively demonstrates how many
cases of rape go unreported in South
Africa.
Only one woman out of nine has
the courage to stand up for her rights
and report the crime. Those eight other
women feel unable to and who can
blame them?
The South African justice system is
ineffectual when it comes to rape. There
have been cases of women being treated
poorly at police stations after horrific
incidents. With the ANC back in power,
they need to follow through with their
promises. Women are crying out, but is
anyone listening?
momentum and accomplish more each
day, and when you see improvements in
your studying, be sure to thank God, no
matter how small that change may be.
Your gratitude for even the smallest
things will motivate God to do more
for you. As you continue this way,
you’ll find yourself relaxed, rejoicing
and ever-singing praises to God for His
wonderful grace.
So stay focused, be disciplined and
do not let anything distract you. Believe
that with God’s help, you can. If you
have been talking yourself down, today
is the day to begin talking yourself up.
obsession with President Zuma. Instead
of giving answers for her failure to
appoint a diverse cabinet she dared to
personally attack the president, basically
calling him a “womaniser who had put
his wives at risk of contracting HIV”.
I was once impressed by Zille but her
continued aggressive behaviour is getting
annoying. Everyone knows about Presi-
dent Zuma’s rape trial and the shower
comments – no need to hold on to that.
Even Zapiro removed the shower head!
These are just my views on the very
interesting current SA political land-
scape.
Disgruntled Reader
Letters
 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09

Donkey carts. Would you ride a donkey cart? Tell us what you think.
opinion@theoppidanpress.com
Grahamstown asses get into shape
Candyce Bruce
The year is 1800 BC. Capable of carrying
between 20 to 30 percent of their body
weight, donkeys helped shape civilisa-
tion as we know it, without getting
much credit. The year is 2009. Donkeys
carry the occasional tourist and are will-
ing to offer students a lift home at 02:00
in the morning for R5.
It sounds like a great entrepreneurial
venture, but who is really doing all the
hard work and are these beasts of bur-
den, the cogs in the commercial wheels,
being treated fairly?
Looking at their ragged coats and
tired doe-eyes, I felt that a little investi-
To control the treatment of the four-
hoofed work force, Wolmarans asked
cart owners to register with her and meet
every month in the township.
It seems there are lots of people
looking out for the best interests of these
donkeys. Katherine Townshend founded
the Rhodes Organisation for Animal
Rights (ROAR) donkey deal which holds
fortnightly clinics where donkeys can
be checked up and receive treatment if
needed. This free-of-charge clinic also
teaches owners how to care for their
animals.
“Donkeys provide people with a live-
lihood, so they do not want their donkey
to get sick or die,” said Townshend. She
added that the apparent ill-treatment of
Opinion
are neglected and mistreated, charg-
ing R400 for their return to the owner.
Considering their income, this is enough
incentive for owners to try to care for
their donkeys.
Concerning the weight that the
donkeys have to pull, it is estimated that
the average donkey can carry up 75kg.
In a double cart, however, they can carry
up to 700kg on a flat road and 400kg on
inclination. So unless you are using the
carts for copious and loaded BP runs,
you should be OK.
So the petrol prices are up and you’ve
swiped your card too many times this
month. Why not indulge in one of
Grahamstown’s novelties? Measures are
being taken in the name of their protec-

Pic: Laura Durham

gation into what’s really going on behind
the harness was necessary.
Today, there are 56 registered donkey
carts that roam the streets of Graha-
mstown. They are affiliated with the
Makana Donkey Association, an organi-
sation founded by Annerie Wolmarans.
Her intention is to reduce the abuse and
suffering experienced by the donkeys.
donkeys is only due to a lack of money
and knowledge. A new harness can cost
up to R600 and, with an average daily
income of R60, purchasing new equip-
ment hardly seems viable. Wolmarans
admitted that, unfortunately, with such
meagre incomes, “the donkey always
comes last”.
The SPCA confiscates donkeys that
tion and safety. And while R5 may seem
like nothing to you, it might ward off the
cold and hunger of a cart owner. Poverty
is rife, and these donkey cart owners are
working for their money as opposed to RIDING IN STYLE
becoming begging nuisances. Thanks to organisations like the Makana Donkey Association and ROAR,
Donkey carts are an untapped practical steps are being taken to improve the lives of donkeys such as these in
resource that could very well be the way Grahamstown.
forward.

President Zuma’s new ministries: a better life for all?

Lithemba Sebe
“We wanted a structure that would en-
able us to achieve visible and tangible
socio-economic development,” said
President Zuma. As a means of achiev-
ing this, the ANC has created six new
ministries, employed extra deputies for
two departments, and split some of the
old departments. But the money that
is required to sustain the newly formed
departments could have been used to
create separate ministries for women,
youth, children and people with disabili-
ties. Instead, the ANC has clustered all
these groups under one disadvantaged
umbrella.
The idea is a noble one. It’s about
time vulnerable groups have depart-
ments designated to cater for their spe-
cific needs, but the departments should
be just that – specific.
The split of Minerals and Energy into
two separate departments is an unneces-
sary waste of human capital, let alone tax
payers’ money, as the previous depart-
ment functioned just fine in the singular.
Notes and change aside, most of the
split departments complement each
other perfectly, so the functions of one
department could easily be incorporated
into another. This means that multiple
ministers will be paid thousands of rands
for doing the same job; a job which
could have been done by just one person.
According to the president, the Ministry
for Women, Youth, Children and People
with Disabilities will “emphasise the
need for equity and access to develop-
ment opportunities for the vulnerable
groups”. Given the complex nature of
the challenges faced by these groups of
people, one department cannot effec-
tively address all four.
To ensure equity for these groups, the
department has to identify key areas of
development as each group has differ-
ent priorities (often worlds apart) and
equity would mean different things to all
of them. Additionally, these issues will
change with time and the people work-
ing for this department will often be
overwhelmed and under-resourced.
If the ANC was serious about attain-
ing development and equity for these
groups of people, the party would have
realised all this in the developing stages.
Now it seems like a half-baked solution
to support a full-blown ego.

The quest for the best in

campus dining
Sungeni Chithambo and Danelle Wessels
The Oppidan Press recently conducted a critical analysis of the
feeding spots around campus with the aim of determining how
the Oppidan dining hall fares against the rest. Here are our
findings.
As far as aesthetics goes, Allan Webb takes the cheesecake
with its antique, church-like appearance and stained glass win-
dows. It also gets an A-plus for efficiency – trays are removed
quickly and there are no significant hold-ups in the hunger
line. Kimberley, on the other hand, looks like an oriental
dungeon, but somehow manages to feel cosy and welcoming
inside. Those who have the pleasure of dining at Hobson Hall
will experience a new level of comfortable eating whilst dining
in their superbly squishy chairs. Founders is a true men’s din-
ing hall with its dark curtains, old portraits and an abandoned
tomato scattered here and there to betray their somewhat
slovenly ways.
But (and herein lies the crux of our critique), it’s not as bad
as the Oppi dining hall.
The Oppidan dining hall probably has the most chaotic
atmosphere. By 13:30, it resembles a hurricane-swept warzone
with trays littering the tables because there is no more rack
space. According to the authorities, this problem has been
Pic: Deidre Alcock
vegetarian. According to Avery, the queues at the dining hall
used to snake out the doors before renovations but now that
Oppies can be served on different sides of the room, they can
get to their meals much faster.
The Oppi dining hall staff has to feed more mouths than the
notoriously enormous Smuts Hall – with sometimes up to 600
empty stomachs – and with only half the staff. Although Smuts
is not well-known for its scrumptious meals, it does boast one
of the friendliest atmospheres on campus.
The food across the dining halls is pretty standard. Peanut
butter seems to have more mood swings than a hormonal
teenager: one day it’s chunky and dodgy, the next it’s smooth
and creamy. Let’s not forget the importance of condiments in
the quality of (disguising) a res meal.
Tomato sauce is an integral part of many students’ diets. Al-
lan Webb tomato sauce has a bitter aftertaste; and who knows
what happened to Oriel Hall’s mysterious red substance? It
is watered-down and has lost that MSG-induced, synthetic
Wimpy taste. What are the ladies to drench their dining hall
offerings in?
Food aside, it seems that dining hall staff is not always very
supportive of students. Adrian Ciesielski of Matthews House
was not a very happy campus camper when he was served a
half-cooked sausage resembling a limp and gelatinous penis.
He took it to a staff member in complaint, only to be told to

tackled and once the order comes in from Johannesburg, extra
custom-made tray racks will restore peace to the dining hall.
Manager of Functions and Oppidan Services, Charmaine
Avery has taken numerous steps to improve the Oppidans’ din-
LUNCH TIME ROWDINESS ing experience. But it is a work in progress. They only recently
Though it looks peaceful after hours, the Oppi dining hall becomes chaotic, expanded on meal options to allow Oppidans to choose from
messy and disorganised during mealtimes. the same meals as res-dwellers instead of plain old default and
put it in the microwave. But no cause for alarm; kitchen staff
are generally a friendly bunch, but we all have our bad days
behind the Bain-Marie.
In conclusion, we have decided that there is no such thing
as a perfect dining hall, and if you really put your mind to
enjoying that wilted salad in front of you, anything is possible.
6 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09

Arts Budding with creative inspiration? Send us your recommendations on

what to do and see on the art scene. arts@theoppidanpress.com

Fancy Fest-work: student Cracks - a slice of retro

Megan Ross
murder takes place, which sets the ridicu-

entrepreneurs gear up for Fest

Yvonne Nhuta
As the National Arts Festival approaches,
the excitement around the upcoming
exhibitions, films and theatre productions
begins to mount. But there is more to
Fest than just the big shows. People flock
from all over to sell their wares at various
markets, and a group of Rhodes students
has decided to take advantage of this op-
portunity.
Bululimo Gqamane, also known as
Rasgold on campus, is a third year BSc
student embarking on a small business
venture at Fest and attempting to capital-
ise on the large influx of potential buyers
that will be arriving in Grahamstown.
In association with Indalo Ethnic
Clothing, Rasgold and his fellow budding
entrepreneurs, whom he refers to as
“brothers”, will be running a stall where
they will sell handmade items such as
clothing, shoes, hats and jewellery. A
natural designer, Rasgold already sells his
own handmade works to people on cam-
pus. “I want people to know the art and
creativity within me and in my mind so I
express myself doing this work,” he says.
On top of various university commit-
ments, running a business at the festival
is challenging, especially considering
the time-consuming task of prepara-
tion. However, Rasgold and his team of
brothers were busy in their workshop
throughout the December vacation, and
by January they had enough merchandise
to exhibit at the National Arts Festival.
Their business extends to other parts
of the Eastern Cape, such as Summer-
strand in Port Elizabeth, where the boys
display and sell their work at exhibitions
every Sunday. “I believe it would be worth
it for other students to get into such work
because if you can get funding for things
like machinery and a workshop, you
can accomplish a lot and profit from it,”
Rasgold said.
The group will be selling their work
at affordable prices for the duration of
Fest. Their range includes jewellery from
R10 to R50 a piece, and clothing of all
styles and sizes from R50 to R100 an
item. The stall will also offer entertain-
ment to festival-goers as the group will be
accompanied by a live band called Trinity.
“They play while we sing,” said Rasgold.
“You know you have to take up every op-
portunity, you are there to do everything
you can do.”
What do you get when you mix a 17-year-
old porn star, a schizophrenic, and a wom-
an who has recently had a sex change? Add
five other equally ludicrous characters and
you get Cracks, a play by Martin Sherman
which will be performed at the National
Arts Festival. It has been described as
“Agatha Christie on an acid trip”.
Cracks is an independent initia-
tive produced by the Runaway Bunny
Collective, a group of students currently
studying Drama at Rhodes. One of the cast
members, Robert Haxton explained that
the play “is a farcical take on a ‘whodunnit’
murder mystery. It’s a dark comedy, and
although it’s a thriller, it’s a very, very funny
play”.
The story is set in Cape Town in the late
1960s to early 1970s, the original setting
of California having been adapted for a
South African audience. The characters are
people involved in film or porn industries
and the play unfolds at a house party in
one of their homes. The fun begins when a
lous and farcical events in motion as the
characters try to discover ‘whodunnit’.
“From the characters, one gets the
sense that they are in the porn industry,
although there is doubt about this too. The
sex is terribly crude and obvious, the pace
is fast and the characters are very real,” said
Haxton.
Full of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll,
the play promises to be an atmospheric,
side-splitting comedy. Another cast
member, Zanne Solomon said that she is
very excited to perform. “It is a hysterical
production with an accomplished cast. So
hopefully it’ll be sold out every show,” she
said.
Cracks will be performed on 2, 3, 10
and 11 July in the B2 Arena at the Monu-
ment. The cast encourages everyone who
will be at the Festival to support the show
by booking tickets as soon as possible.
Don’t miss this comical slice of the hippie
era, full of ludicrous twists and bizarre,
retro characters! Book your ticket for an
hour or two of non-stop and mischievous
fun.

A brief look at the 2009 Fest highlights

1. Batho Bothle – A morality play meaning “Everyman” in
Tswana, Batho Bothle is about redemption and other universal
truths. Khudu, a taxi driver, journeys through various relation-
ships both geographical and metaphysical to determine where he
is headed in his life.
2. I Am My Own Wife – This Pulitzer Prize-winning one hander
introduces Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German transvestite
caught up in the great European dramas of the twentieth century,
with Jeremy Crutchley playing 40 different characters in the play.
3. School/Youth Jazz Bands – Top young jazz players from around
the country will compete to make it into national bands. Estab-
lished bands include the Taiwa Youth Band from the Mosesas
Molelekwa Arts Foundation in Soweto, and the Stellenbosch
University Jazz Band.
4. Vumelani Let us Dance – This showcase involves performances
by traditional dance groups Via Paterson Art Club, Manyandube
Dance Group and the Mvanda Dance Group, who all hail from
different Eastern Cape districts.
5. The Parlotones – This popular four-member South African
band, with its pop-indie rock sound and energetic stage perfor-
mances is definitely something to make a reservation for.
6. Rise Up! – An exhibition by Gillian de Vlieg, a white female
photographer who experienced the harshness of the apartheid
struggle firsthand. It reveals a different and important perspec-
tive on a period largely documented by male photographers.
>>Yvonne Nhuta
 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09 7

Arts
Fest Time. What’s your favourite thing about the National Arts Festival? Let us know.
arts@theoppidanpress.com

Swimming Lessons: a must-see for Fest-goers

structure we have created,” De Silva nates within the piece and audiences
Karin Reum said. The cast has been training hard will be kept guessing in this portrayal
in preparation, but some feel that they of ordinary life, performed with a
National Arts Festival theatre-goers have not yet fully understood the focus touch of magic.
must be sure to dive into the produc- of their work. “The tasks have been Shaun Acker, a Drama Masters
tion Swimming Lessons this year. The quite random,” said Liana Cilliers, an- student at Rhodes is adding his
play is a story of hurting and hope, in other member of the cast. “We feel as if musical genius to the play. A diverse
which a South African Xhosa woman we are not quite sure what is going on.” range of genres including rock ’n roll,
seeks to rediscover herself after suffer- However, these tasks which feed off atmospheric and tribal all enhance the
ing a great loss. The production skilful- real reaction and emotion instead of rather unique quality of this produc-
ly combines tragedy with the sound of trying to fit into a prescribed story line tion.
laughter and a sense of comedy. Not to are a method of ensuring that the work Buckland calls the production “a
mention that our very stays honest. Essentially, the story is all finely crafted, delicate and detailed
own Andrew Buckland about the cast members as they draw study of the extraordinary possibili-
is returning to co-direct on their own bodies and experiences. ties created in encounters between the
and produce with Brink The Ubom! cast has a reputation widely dispersed worlds still existing
Schultz from Ubom!. of being in tune with each other and in SA today”. Though the context of
Cast member, Jaques combining language and text to create the play is South African, it has univer-
DIVING IN De Silva expressed his a truly unique experience for viewers. sal appeal as we can all identify with
The cast of Swimming Lessons has been training very excitement over Buck- Brink Schultz is slowly revealing the a character or feeling in the journey
hard even though they may not yet have a clear idea of land’s return. “He will concept and, in this way, the creation undertaken on the stage – a journey
the play’s focus. add some colour and remains a mystery – there is a sense laced with discovery, love, hope and
a creative spin to the that anything may happen. This reso- myth.
Pics: Karin Reum

Q & A with Andrew Buckland

Andrew Buckland leaves the mad world of Cirque du Soleil to return to Grahamstown and the festival buzz.
Lauren Minnie
How does it feel to be coming
back to Grahamstown, and more
importantly, the National Arts
Festival?
We are very excited to be com-
ing home and especially to the Fest.
It will be great to get immersed in
a heroic dose of home culture and
see friends and their work. I am
also directing Richard Antrobus in
Stilted so will have my hands hap-
pily full and dirty.
What inspired you to get involved
with Swimming Lessons?
I have had the opportunity to
work with Brink on other projects
and love her work. Besides this,
I am a firm friend of the Ubom!
Company and will take any chance
I can get to get involved with them.
The text of Swimming Lessons is
also very strong and promises a
really great show. I can’t wait to get
back.
How will your experiences over
the last year be reflected in this
production?
Impossible to say, except that
you won’t necessarily see people
flying on trapezes. Being here and
doing this has only multiplied my
love of theatre several fold, espe-
cially the intimate audience contact
afforded by festival venues. We
have been playing to 4 000 people
a night.
What is the most exciting aspect
about coming back?
Janet. My bed. My house. My
dogs. South Africa.
So what happens from here, after
Festival?
After festival I have a term’s
teaching to do at Rhodes and then
I must find work. I am in rehearsal
for a work made in collaboration
with one of the performers here
who is from Uzbekistan and has
built his own theatre in his garage.
It may well be the seed of a new
work. Check out his theatre on
YouTube, his name is Eugen Brim.

The Oppidan Press asked students if they will be staying for the National Arts Festival, 2 -11 July

DANIEL CHARVAT BUHLE NGABA MOTLATSI KHOSI ARMAND SWART

>> Second year Bjourn >>First year BA >> Third year BSocSci >>First year BA
“No, Rhodes is great, but I can’t be stuck in “Yes, because I’m from Grahamstown, but “No, I can’t because of intervarsity commit- “What festival?…oh! No.”
such a small town for longer than I have to this will be the first time I’m from Rhodes. I ments. But I’d love to because I was here in
be.” think the vibe will be different.” 2007.”

KARABO MGOHALE DALE HUTTON KELLY HITCHCOCK STACY MULLER

>> Second year BSocSci >>BSc Honours >> Second year BSocSci >> Second year BCom
“Ja, because I just dig going to the shows “The things that people say in these “Yes, because I think all Rhodes “Yes, because I want to see this town
and it’s something different in things are really unintelligent, so I wanna students should experience it.” come alive.”
Grahamstown.” sound clever. But, um, ja.” Pics: Michal Blaszczyk
 8 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09
Features
27 years at Rhodes and still going strong
Enathi Mqokeli
Small in stature but with a wide grin
almost permanently across her face,
Welekazi Sylvia Asiya, one of Rhodes’
oldest employees, chats happily about
her nearly three decade-long service to
the University which recently saw her
receiving two merit awards.
Asiya started working at Rhodes as a
part-time employee in September 1982
when she worked in the Rhodes Café,
kitchens and the sanatorium. Her hard
work and commitment paid off a few
months later when she received a per-
manent job with the University. Asiya
started off in her new permanent posi-
tion as a messenger and then became an
assistant at the senior room. Years later,
she was offered a job in housekeeping
and catering which she still holds today.
Having been diagnosed with diabetes
Examination anticipation: the final countdown
Pic: supplied
MOUNTING PRESSURE
Whether you’re overly keen or in denial, the fact that swot week begins on Monday is hardly a thought worth cherishing.
Mallory Perrett
The sad and dreary truth is this: exams
begin in less than two weeks time. This
is a somewhat sobering thought (liter-
ally) for those of us who’ve tried to push
the ‘E’ word to the back of our minds for
some time ago, Asiya’s health has not
made her work any easier. The disease
shattered her dreams of progressing
with her studies in computer literacy
– Asiya found that it made her continu-
ously dizzy and faint and it often caused
memory loss. Despite this, Asiya, in her
27 years as an employee at Rhodes has
become the breadwinner for her family.
“I am fighting for my children’s bread,”
she says.
Two of Asiya’s children are in high
school but her older daughter is still
unemployed after numerous attempts
at finding a job. Asiya is granted certain
privileges because of her work for
Rhodes and has been given a house as
a result. She considers coming to work
a stress reliever. When she is busy with
her work, she forgets about any troubles
she may have at home. Although she
describes her work as demanding and
complicated, at the end of the day it is
the better part of the term.
But while denial is an ever-appealing
state of mind for some come exam time,
others approach this looming horror
in different ways. For instance, you are
bound to know one or two of those
over-confident, overly keen specimens
who feel the need to express just how
Have a knack for creative writing? Join the features team.
Just drop us a line. features@theoppidanpress.com
through this work that she is able to
make ends meet.
Asiya appreciates working for Rho-
des and has accepted that she will not
be able to pursue her once-held dreams
of becoming a nurse. She quickly looks
at my notes and smiles, reassuring me
that I should stress her last words. She
advises all Rhodes students to work hard
at what they want to achieve – partying
and the wild life will always be waiting
for them after they graduate. She views
Rhodes as “a good place to learn and to
work”.
After 27 years of dedicated service,
Asiya explains that it would be beneficial
for her to take her pension in the com-
ing years. Asiya concludes our interview
with her favourite motto which stresses
the need to grasp every opportunity you
have because anything is better than
nothing: “You never know which side of
the bread is buttered”.
well a particular study session went,
how many hundreds of hours they plan
to put in, or how they’ve colour-coded
their study notes to make for happy
studying. But fear not folks! The tell-all
types tend to be over compensating for a
severe lack of knowledge. At least, that’s
a comforting thought.
More than a rescue remedy
Philisiwe Mbongwana
Examinations are looming and for
many people this spells highly stressful
study days and nights which can lead to
depression and uncontrollable anxiety. In
light of this, Jo-Anne de la Mare, who is
currently working on a PhD in Biochem-
istry at Rhodes, has a plan.
De la Mare, who grew up in Graham-
stown, has struggled with depression and
anxiety for most of her life. “At school
I would be unable to write exams as I
would literally become ill from anxiety
and experience panic attacks,” she said.
De la Mare plans to start up an
anxiety and depression support group
under the South African Depression
and Anxiety Group in Grahamstown.
A diagnosis with severe depression and
bipolar disorder, followed by a suicide
attempt in 2002, is what motivated de la
Mare to form the group. “I yearned to
feel understood and [to] speak to others
Pic:Catherine Cunningham
POSITIVELY DEDICATED
Having given nearly 30 years of
service to Rhodes, Welekazi Sylvia
Asiya stands proud as her family’s
breadwinner.
For most of us, however, time is the con-
stant enemy and with balancing acts to
be performed right up until swot week
– squeezing in extracurricular activities,
sport and all those last minute tests and
assignments – the general feeling is that
we’ll never get through the countless
modules and endless chapters which are
“examinable material”.
As a first year, I must admit that I’m
hardly ushering in the coming exams
with much enthusiasm. There’s a pres-
sure to perform, the fearful thought of
losing beloved DPs and of course, we’re
not quite sure what to expect. It doesn’t
really help our cause either when the
veteran exam-goers whom we look up to
laugh at the idea of first year workloads
stressing us out, or when they reminisce
about former friends who didn’t return
to Rhodes after the last set of exams.
On a more positive note though,
asking around, I received some advice
on tackling the E monster – actually
studying during swot week, having sex
as a stress-release, keeping healthy and
taking regular study breaks were a few
of the suggestions thrown my way. I say
do whatever you feel will take the stress-
ful edge off things. Here’s to being back
next term!
who [had] been going through the same
thing,” she explained.
De la Mare says that the group will be
available to everyone in Grahamstown so
as to enable all people to locate a support
group when they need it most. The group
will deal with a number of disorders
linked to depression, such as post-trau-
matic stress disorder, bipolar disorder,
panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive
disorder. The main aim of the group is to
provide a space for people experiencing
these problems to discuss them openly
and to find help.
De la Mare asserts that silence over
these kinds of issues prevents us from
dealing with them. She also emphasises
the severity of these problems, not-
ing that “severe depression could even
pose a suicide risk”. Under these sorts of
circumstances, the need for a strong sup-
port system is crucial. In this regard, de
la Mare has her husband to thank whom
she describes as “a wonderful, gentle and
loving person”.
THERE’S AN ALOE ON MY
STOEP >>
Hiking the
Amatolas
Daneel Knoetze
Adjusting the straps of the stifling
deadweight on your back, you make
the first few steps rather tentatively.
And after that, there are plenty more
steps to go. The Amatola trail, which
starts at Maden Dam just outside King
Williams Town, spits you out at Hogs-
back one hundred kilometres and six
gruelling days later. What happens in
between is simultaneously painful and
beautiful, in equal measure.
From day one, I quickly learned
to stick to the little yellow footprints
that dot the trail and by day three, be-
ing obedient to them had become an
obsession. Especially because they had
the habit of abandoning our party at
certain particularly unclear sections of
the trail. There’s little way of describ-
ing the panic that descends on an
expedition that believes it is lost in the
wilderness. Faith and order is always
restored though, and ever onward we
bounded.
When navigating the Amatola trail,
your surroundings are in a perpetual
state of flux. Some stretches give the
impression that the landscape is actu-
ally changing by the minute. Typically,
each day of hiking features something
between dense indigenous forest and
mountain crags that double up as
platforms for panoramic views. In the
morning, it’s a climb, in the afternoon,
a descent towards the next pit stop.
The overnight huts (atop a mountain,
by a waterfall, in the forest) are strate-
gically placed to make one appreciate
the diversity of a highly under-rated
mountain range. With dusk setting,
and the legs beginning to tire, these
simple sanctuaries always met me at
just the right time.
A striking feature of the trail is that
you are rarely more than half an hour’s
walk from fresh spring water. For the
most part, we’re talking little streams,
but the trail is also well known for its
bigger waterworks. Massive waterfalls
are so frequent that hikers are almost
at risk of becoming immune to the awe
they inspire. But the feeling of putting
a parched mouth right in the firing
line of a falling mass of mountain
water doesn’t easily lose its charm.
Against the trail’s diversity, there’s
constancy in the form of the hikers’
routine each day. At 5:00 each morn-
ing, an unrelenting polyphonic alarm
would announce the body beating and
sensory overload to follow. And most
mornings, the first thing I saw in the
pitch darkness (it floated about three
inches above my face) was a luminous
yellow footprint of indeterminate
size. Such a vision inspired a mixed
reaction – of dread and exhilaration.
Dread because your goddamn right
foot is just one big blister, and ex-
hilaration because you know that the
Amatola is one of the most remarkable
experiences of your life.
On the last day, when a little bill-
board unceremoniously announced
our triumph, there arose a cheeky
desire in me to turn right around and
head on back again.

Green living. Are you living a green lifestyle? Let us know what
tips and tricks you use. environment@theoppidanpress.com
Skating on thin ice: Rhodes student turns explorer
Nicole Venegas
Antarctica is, for most of us, a rare
destination at best. But Rhodes Masters
student, Nellie Chiphwanya can cross it
off her bucket list.
Chiphwanya, a student in environ-
mental education, was one of two lucky
students from an African country cho-
sen to be part of the Antarctica expedi-
tion earlier this year. It was organised by
2041, an organisation created by Robert
Swan which aims to encourage young
people to help protect the Antarctic from
human interference. The organisation
derives its name from the treaty which
currently forbids countries claiming ter-
ritories in Antarctica to drill and plunder
its natural resources. This treaty expires
32 years from now (in 2041) but Swan’s
organisation hopes to see the treaty
renewed beyond that date.
Inspired from a young age by such
adventurers as Jacques Cousteau and
Edward Shackleton, Swan has walked
across both the North and South Pole
and, because of this, has experienced
firsthand the effects of global warming
on the environment. He will be return-
ing to the Antarctic next year and will
live off only renewable energy for five
Going green, but for the right reasons?
Tommie Gilbert
Even in our ever-changing, ever-sur-
prising world, the news that some CEOs
want to institute carbon laws seems
strange.
Carbon laws, if implemented, would
force companies to institute major
changes in factories to make them more
ecologically-friendly, as these companies
would be made to pay a tax on emissions
which exceed the permissible amount.
Sadly however, what has brought
about this change of heart is not a genu-
ine concern for our planet. Rather, it’s to
jumpstart a new economic sector – that
of renewable energy.
Many CEOs of motor and energy
companies are seeking to outsource
and look into renewable energy as they
realise that oil and gas aren’t long-term
solutions. However, the cost of doing
so is very high and these companies are
concerned about the transition period
when competitors who aren’t prepared to
invest in renewable energy might profit.
But if all companies were forced to abide
by carbon laws, they would all have to
consider renewable energy.
Ford Motors’ CEO, Bill Ford and
CEO of Duke Energy, Jim Rogers have
both been campaigning for some sort of
carbon-related legislation in the United
States of late. Rogers wants to invest in
renewable energy and Ford in smaller
and more economic cars.
There is a cap-and-trade structure
imposed on companies through the Kyo-
to Protocol (which the United States has
not signed), which states that companies
must be charged a higher tax for using
Eco-fact >>
If less than two percent of the ice in Antarctica melts, the
world’s sea level will rise by one metre.
months. Swan has made it his mission
to educate younger generations and he
hopes that through 2041, his goal of
protecting Antarctica will carry on.
Chiphwanya is part of this young
generation that Swan seeks to target.
A member of 2041, she is interested
in “getting kids involved in recycling
projects and developing children’s action
competence, by giving them a better un-
derstanding of why they need to recycle,”
she told The Oppidan Press. Chiphwanya
represented South Africa, one of the 15
countries that participated in the two
week long expedition to Antarctica.
BP, which is interested in developing
renewable energy, co-sponsored the trip
by supplying warm jackets, and Rhodes
also helped by providing Chiphwanya
with other equipment required for the
cold Antarctic breeze. “I was one of the
people from a warm climate and it was
freezing, around minus 13 degrees Cel-
sius. I used one of Robert Swan’s special
jackets and sleeping bags to make sure I
stayed warm,” said Chiphwanya, refer-
ring to the night they camped on the ice.
The trip was potentially very dan-
gerous as the expeditioners were, as
Chiphwanya recalled, “at the mercy of
Mother Nature, it would have take about
two days to reach the nearest medical
SMOKIN’
The Kyoto Protocol expires in three years but countries are a long way off
from reaching the carbon emission reduction target.
carbon-emitting factories, and receive
rewards for investing in green technol-
ogy. CEO of carbon trader EcoSecuri-
ties, Bruce Usher is pushing for such a
system in the US, where he believes that
it would not only be beneficial, but that it
could be implemented quickly. But time
is running out for Usher – the Kyoto
Protocol expires in three years and these
types of deals take up to two and a half
years to develop.
Usher is not the only one who wants
some sort of eco-friendly legislation
The Oppidan Press 27.05.09 9
Environment
facility”. Before embarking on the trip,
members were briefed on the strict
safety rules they were to follow, and
were paired up in a ‘buddy system’, each
taking responsibility for another person’s
safety.
In addition, the adventurers had to be
careful not to fall off the zodiacs (small
rubber boats) into the freezing water
and, most importantly, they had to fol-
low each other’s footsteps closely when
hiking to avoid falling into crevices. In
the event that one of the members of the
party did fall into a crevice, he or she
would be left there to die as the safety of
the group couldn’t be risked to rescue
them.
Chiphwanya felt up close the effects
of global warming. She saw and heard
big pieces of melting ice breaking off and
falling into the water: “It sounded like an
earthquake, it was quite scary,” she said.
Although the trip was frightening
and dangerous at times, Chiphwanya felt
Pic: Supplied
it was well worth it: “Before I went there,
I just thought it would be ice, but the
beauty of Antarctica is… It was amaz-
ing; it was something I had never seen ICE, ICE, BABY
before. Everyone was speechless, some Rhodes environmental education student, Nellie Chiphwanya experienced the effects of
people just remained motionless and
silent for the first day just to absorb it.”
global warming on her trip to Antarctica, organised by 2041 – an organisation that aims
to protect the continent from human interference.
Look out for >>
• GRASS water project
GRASS has tested Grahamstown’s water and the results are that “the water quality
is variant and in need of more monitoring and testing”. They have worked with the
Pharmacy Department to develop easy and accessible ways to test for Coliforms
and Aluminium in the water. However, GRASS needs volunteers to test the water
in digs as well as in residences on a regular basis to ensure that the water is safe. If
you are interested contact GRASS at grass.info@gmail.com.
• Artwork Collective Festival show
Artwork Collective, a Grahamstown grassroots art project, is looking for colourful
plastic waste. They will be performing at the National Arts Festival this year, doing
a traditional Banraku Puppet Show. The puppets are made out of plastic waste,
mostly colourful plastic bottles and containers, such as empty household cleaning
bottles, lids of soft drink bottles, bubble wrap and more, so please collect! Contact
Dylan on 078 032 6047, or email him at armadylan@gmail.com for more informa-
tion.
• Wilderness Vision Drive
Pic: supplied
Wilderness Vision is organising the 1+1=1 Pledge Drive SA, where they drive
around the country in eight weeks, giving presentations to schools and universi-
ties. They are raising funds for the Billion Tree Campaign as well as for Wilderness
Vision’s own environmental projects, by asking people to sign a pledge and donate
R1. They stop in Grahamstown on Monday 1 June and in Port Elizabeth from
Tuesday 2 to Friday 5 June. For more information go to their website at
www.wildernessvision.org/
to sort out the US’s carbon emissions,
which are some of the highest in the • World Environment Day
world. This December, world leaders
will gather in Copenhagen to decide on Friday 5 June is World Environment Day. It was started in 1972 by the United Na-
a successor to the Kyoto Protocol and tions and it brought on the creation of the United Nations Environment Program
they are desperate to get America on (UNEP).
board. The Americans will need to come
up with a compromise regarding carbon
laws if there is to be any hope of combat-
ing carbon emission levels and reversing
global warming.
 10 The Oppidan Press 27.05.09
Business
A depression is no time to be depressed
Pic: supplied
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
McDonald’s is one of a number of successful companies that
was started up during a recession or depression. Emerging
entrepreneurs need to take advantage of the current economic
climate.
The great cullling of BEE
Motshidisi Mokoena
Once perceived as the lovechild of
a new democracy and economic
liberalisation, more recently, Black
Economic Empowerment (BEE) has
displayed characteristics typical of an
unruly youngster. BEE has managed
to rebel against its intended purpose
of creating a bridging tool between the
previously disadvantaged majority and
economic opportunity. Indeed, it has
opened many Mercedes Benz doors for
a number of individuals, but it has only
intensified the socio-economic cycle
where the rich get richer and the poor
poorer.
And just like any political issue, the
illusion of the limitless power of BEE
was to prove fatal for its successful
implementation. The Elephant Consor-
tium exemplifies the self-interest that
has driven too many BEE deals. The
consortium is made up of the Lion
Consortium led by Andile Ngcaba, the
Buffalo Consortium led by women's
Rough ride for China’s sex theme park
Gwynne Mhlanga
Controversy and big business are never
far apart and where the two collide,
there is sure to be a good story. In
China recently, one rather innovative
businessman began a sex theme park.
The idea behind the theme park was to
display naked human sculptures, giant
replica genitals and a photo gallery on
the history of sex. It would include sex-
group Wiphold and the Broad Based
Beneficiary Trust, and owns about
15.1 percent of Telkom’s shares. It has
emerged that the Public Investment
Corporation (PIC), which, inciden-
tally, is owned wholly by the South
African government, had warehoused
the shares to allow Elephant time to
raise enough cash to get their hands on
these shares.
This share acquisition controversy,
coupled with a number of other issues
surrounding the consortium’s manage-
ment, has stirred up much debate
regarding its true intentions. It seems
that its members are using their broad-
based empowerment status to fulfill
personal goals, and are deliberately
interrupting the natural workings of
business for their own gain.
Probes into the company finances
have revealed a number of issues, a
major one being that Elephant is trad-
ing in company shares, which was only
meant to be possible in May 2010. And
don’t forget that this company has a
number of ANC beneficiaries on the
technique workshops and sex educa-
tion to help adults “enjoy a harmoni-
ous sex life,” says park manager, Lu
Xiaoqing.
The park, christened ‘Love Land’
by its owners, went under the wreck-
ing ball over the weekend in the city of
Chongqing, according to the spokes-
man who (like many Chinese bureau-
crats) would give only his surname,
Yang. He refused to state the reason for
the demolition or other details. “Vulgar,
Gwynne Mhlanga
Necessity is the mother of all invention;
when the going gets tough, the tough
get going; what doesn’t kill you will only
make you stronger. These are some of
the oldest and most abused clichés, but
they have never been truer than now.
Contrary to the widespread panic and
drama across the world, an economic
depression is actually the best time to
grow businesses.
Some of the world’s biggest and most
successful businesses started up during
a recession or a depression: Disney,
McDonald’s, Burger King, Procter and
Gamble, Johnson and Johnson and
Microsoft. Anyone can run a business
during stable economic times; even an
unprofitable business will survive dur-
ing a boom. However, it is in periods
of recession or depression when the
tough get going, and in today’s business
environment, it is the tough who will
survive.
Although many businesses are cur-
rently folding, opportunity knocks for
the entrepreneur. With many put out of
work by the global credit crunch, people
are starting their own business ventures.
Newly jobless people, flush with redun-
dancy money, are spiking an increase in
board, such as former Treasurer-Gen-
eral of the ANC, Mendi Msimang and
Alan Norman who controls millions in
shares in the consortium.
As a shareholder in Telkom,
Elephant is set to benefit by billions
of rands in dividends after Vodacom
(owned jointly by Telkom and Voda-
fone) went public on 18 May. A group
of shareholders in Elephant plan to
use dividends from the listing to settle
debts, before dividing the remaining
proceeds and dissolving the consor-
tium. This Telkom empowerment deal
has faced a succession of inquiries
since Elephant acquired an estimated
R9 billion stake in the fixed-line opera-
tor in 2005. Further investigations are
now under way into a deal shrouded in
secrecy, according to Business Times.
The Elephant Consortium is just
one of the companies formed under
the guise of empowering the disadvan-
taged, but which has only served to
feed fat cats and make a monkey of a
system that looked so good on paper.
Welcome to the zoo that is BEE.
ill-minded and misleading” was the
official reaction to the park. Everything
was demolished over the weekend –
thongs, replicas of derrieres and all.
Xiaoqing had earlier claimed that
the attractions sought only to boost
sexual awareness and improve people’s
sex-lives. Unfortunately for this busi-
ness though, China is largely a conser-
vative society and the idea of such a
theme park shocked many people even
before the official opening, which was
Credit crunch: Have you been directly affected by the world economic
meltdown? business@theoppidanpress.com
the number of small businesses. With
little to lose, many new ideas are sure to
surface as people strive to survive in this
harsh climate. One such idea belongs
to a former gym instructor who wants
to start a portable gym. He is taking
his equipment to companies around
London, giving people a lunchtime
workout without them having to leave
their offices.
Research shows that 80 percent of all
small businesses fail but those that do
not fail will come out stronger and are
set to do well once global conditions are
stable. Figures, regarded as a good guide
to the level of start-up activity, show
encouraging signs given the worsen-
ing economic environment. The British
Bankers' Association (BBA) revealed
that 142 500 small businesses estab-
lished new banking relationships in the
first quarter of 2009. The same period
last year saw 142 700. Unfortunately,
this is one wave that has not hit South
Africa. It will be tough going for South
African businesses because we have not
seen the last of the effects of the global
recession. Nevertheless, it does not take
an economist to know that the recession
will not last forever, and once it is over
people like the innovative gym instruc-
tor could be competing alongside Virgin
Active.
Pic: supplied
CRIMINAL CONSORTS
Andile Ngcaba is part of the management
of Elephant Consortium, which has
used its black economic empowerment
deal to boost the bank balances of its
beneficiaries, many of whom are ANC
members.
set for October. Photographs of the
adult-only park had circulated widely
on the Internet over the weekend,
prompting widespread mockery and
condemnation. The demolition high-
lights the conflicting views on sex in
modern China. While pornography is
banned and sex education is generally
inadequate, shops selling sex toys and
related items stand out prominently in
many neighbourhoods and sex outside
of marriage is widely tolerated.
MATERIAL GIRL >>
Get that choir away
from me
Ines Schumacher
The offices I work at are right across
the road from the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange. How convenient, I thought,
when I took an early morning stroll
there last week Monday to attend the
listing of Gold One International, a gold
company as the name might suggest to
the perceptive among you.
When I walked into the JSE, a wall
of sound hit me and I was dismayed
to see a choir the size of an academic
procession, and wearing equally hideous
clothes, pelting out some hymn or other
at the listing event. Wow, this junior
gold company pulled out all the stops, I
thought.
It turned out I had stumbled into the
Vodacom listing by accident. I grabbed
a handful of snacks and made my way
up to the smaller but much more tasteful
Gold One listing.
Little did I know that I had walked
into a cesspool of controversy in the
foyer that morning.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, the trade
union Cosatu and the industry regulator,
the Independent Communications Au-
thority of South Africa (Icasa), launched
a last-minute bid to stop Vodacom going
public because it forms part of a deal
that gives UK-based Vodafone control of
the company.
The trade union body objected to
foreign ownership of a major South
African company and said it feared job
losses. The deal also enriched business-
men close to the former government of
Thabo Mbeki, angering leftists.
High Court judge John Murphy
rejected Icasa’s attempt to block the
listing. That was the end of that, and we
are reminded once again that in South
Africa the judiciary has the final say on
any matter, as it should.
The dust has now settled. Vodacom
has listed, Cosatu has lost (hah!) and
the government has shown that it sup-
ports the kind of business Vodafone and
Telkom are doing.
The real loser in all of this is Icasa,
the industry regulator which should, at
all times, be independent.
It is clear that Icasa took the lead
from Cosatu in its decision and this
brings into question its autonomy. Some
analysts have gone so far as to call for
a restructuring of the authority and a
review of its management.
Icasa has not only failed to remain
independent and shown itself to make
wishy-washy decisions, it has also
proved prone to meddling in indus-
try affairs which are really none of its
business. And this with no regard for
the economy, or for protecting foreign
investment prospects.
The Vodacom deal will bolster
competition in South Africa’s telecom-
munications market, allow both Telkom
and Vodacom to expand as separate
entities and, ultimately, create more jobs.
Competition will improve service and
prices for consumers. There really aren’t
any downsides to it.
The deal is good for South Africa
and those who fail to see that are simply
short-sighted, lying about their interest
in the matter, or despise choirs in hid-
eous clothes.

WTF? Seen anything weird and wacky online lately? Send us a link.
scitech@theoppidanpress.com
Food for thought: snacking your way through exams
Zukiswa Kota
Looming exams and winter blues are
just two reasons why taking extra care
of your immune system is important
right now. The breakneck pace at
which we all seem to be racing through
daily life is no doubt taxing on the
mind and body. So what can you do
to avoid burnout? There is an array of
food items that are affordable, easy to
acquire and tasty, to add to your list of
exam ‘must-eats’.
A brief enquiry into the emerging
field of functional medicine revealed
some interesting facts. Functional med-
icine is an approach to nourishing the
brain and body using food. The use of
food as medicine, however, is referred
to as nutrigenomics – an emerging
science. According to Dr Mark Hyman
there are strong connections between a
change in diet and changes in the way
your body works or doesn’t work.
Peanut butter
There is much to be said for the humble
peanut butter sarmie. Scientists believe
that magnesium, which is found in
peanut butter, has the potential to fight
against harmful free-radical molecules
that damage blood vessels and the
heart. According to Toni Younghus-
band, editor of a popular health and
fitness magazine, you should ideally
use bread that is high in fibre (at least
3g of fibre per slice).
Spinach
Besides being a good source of iron
and calcium, this flowering plant is rich
in a co-enzyme called CoQ10, which
slows the rate of brain degeneration.
Although I’ve never really associated
brawny ol’ Popeye with much mental
prowess.
Bananas
The sodium in bananas assists with
water and blood pressure regulation,
Science & Technology
helping your body to function ef-
ficiently. This potassium-packed fruit is
a hassle-free, anytime snack.
Marmite
B vitamins in this sticky spread might
explain why 25 percent of British tour-
ists take Marmite with them on their
travels! The age-old ‘Marmite versus
Bovril’ debate is the source of many a
heated breakfast table discussion. One
website depicted a sculptor’s seven
foot Marmite replica of ‘The Kiss’ to
celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Almonds
Snacking on these nuts can help to
improve your memory. Almonds con-
tain phenylalanine, which stimulates
the brain to produce neurotransmit-
ters such as dopamine, adrenaline and
noradrenaline. One ancient Indian
system of health care uses almonds to
treat ailments related to the brain and
nervous system.
Avocadoes
Research from the University of Maine
has revealed that avocados play an
important role in lowering high blood
pressure. This can give you that mental
‘edge’ when you need it, as high blood
pressure has been associated with
decreased cognitive function. Also
known as the butter pear or avocado
pear, this fruit contains 60 percent
more potassium than bananas, is rich
in vitamin K (which plays an impor-
tant role in increasing bone mass), and
contains higher amounts of fibre than
any fruit.
Tomatoes
This fruit is 95 percent water and 22
percent of your daily recommended
allowance of vitamin C. Tomatoes
bring life to a low-budget salad, add
zest to the quietest of sandwiches, and
give fresh volume to a variety of sauces.
French researchers found that heating
lycopene (which tomatoes are rich in)
The Oppidan Press 27.05.09 11
facilitates the absorption of this brain-
boosting substance. Other studies have
found that lycopene, also found in wa-
termelons and pawpaw, can play a role
in preventing some forms of cancer.
Chicken
The meat-eaters among us will be
pleased to know that chicken is good
for muscle-building due to its protein
content. But as we’re focusing on
mental vitality, it must be said that this
poor-man’s turkey can help to ward off
depression as it is high in vitamin B6.
This water-soluble vitamin plays a key
role in the conversion of tryptophan to
serotonin, which studies suggest may
increase the ability to recall dreams as
well as their intensity. The alleviation
of hangovers and morning sickness in
pregnant women has been linked to the
diuretic effect of vitamin B6. However,
the likelihood of someone reaching for
a chicken drumstick in the throes of
nausea is rather low, methinks.

Rhodents’ choice of popular perk-me-ups Correction

Zukiswa Kota, James Short, Tafadzwa
Mlambo and Mathilde Brassine
The Oppidan Press SciTech team prowled
the Rhodes campus to get an idea of
students’ exam snacking habits. This is
what we discovered from a sample of 40
respondents as illustrated by Figure 1.
A number of respondents depend on
more than one substance to boost their
energy levels. 22 percent (12) of our
interviewees drink more coffee around
exam time in order to stay awake and
work for longer hours. Interestingly, two
students stated that drinking water to
stay focused and alert was enough for
them.
Chocolate (15 percent), Red Bull
The Oppidan Press would like to
apologise for a photograph that appeared
alongside an article in the 13 May 2009
(13 percent), Berocca (7 percent) and issue (‘Rhodents and Rodents: Stem
vitamin supplements (11 percent) were Cell Research at Rhodes’). The caption
also high up on the list of popular perk- incorrectly implied that BioBRU, headed
me-ups. While our sample size barely by Professor Gregory Blatch, uses live
accounts for one percent of the total mice to carry out research. BioBRU does
student population, it is interesting to not experiment on whole organisms.
note the absence of fruit and vegetables Researchers at BioBRU use commercially
in the responses tallied (read our ‘Food available cell lines, grown and manipu-
for Thought’ article in this issue). One lated in tissue culture flasks, which does
student, however, reported snacking on not require the use of whole organisms.
nuts. The Oppidan Press is committed to en-
It was also interesting to note that the suring accurate and professional report-
only students who reported engaging ing and would like to extend an apology
in physical exercise as a form of stress to Professor Blatch and his colleagues
release were also those who reported and to our readers for any confusion
drinking water, fruit juice and using caused by the photograph.
“nothing” to maintain energy levels. Zukiswa Kota, Editor: Science and
figure 1 Technology
 IF YOU READ NOTHING
ELSE…
Rhodents ride donkey carts
Page 5

Rhodes Internal League Basketball debut

Litha Mpondwana
The Rhodes Internal League Basketball
tournament took place for the first time
on Friday 15 May at Alec Mullins Hall.
The event was yet another achievement
for the fledging basketball club which
has seen a number of successes in recent
years.
The internal league fixtures did not
get off to a good start when around half
of the registered teams failed to arrive at
the event. However, this did not deprive
spectators of some competitive action on
the court, as the teams that did pitch up
fought intensely, displaying extraordi-
nary skills to please the crowd.
Of the men’s teams participating in
the first round of league matches, the
most impressive were Fantastic 3 and
Ama-Dreds, a team of small yet fast
players who all sport dreadlocks. Disap-
possesses an element of quality in their
play.
Rhodes Basketball chairperson, Tarcille
Mballa was pleased with how well the
tournament went. “It was more success-
ful than we expected, and I’m excited
about the turnout,” she said.
Although the matches did not show-
case any new basketball talent at Rhodes,
Mballa was still encouraged by the
performances of the seasoned members.
“They showed a new spirit. The players
were more committed and enthusiastic,
and that impressed me,” she said.
Mballa said she hoped to improve
the organisation of the event for future
internal league games.
She also acknowledged Sports
Administration for their role in ensur-
ing the existence of Rhodes’ internal
basketball league. “Sports Admin tries
to make people work on their own, but
they have given us support whenever

Pic: Candice Cupido

pointingly, only two women’s teams
competed.
Every team participating in the bas-
ketball internal league has to field one
Rhodes first team player in their line-up,
a measure which ensures that each team
needed,” she said.
As the lights dimmed at the end of an
evening of entertaining basketball, the
jovial mood of the players and spectators
reflected the general success of an event SHOOTING HOOPS
enjoyed by all.
Players impressed the crowd at the first ever Rhodes Internal League Basketball tournament, which was a great success.

Out of the blue winning streak for TUKS FC

Anesu Chingono
Remember when you sat in Sunday
school learning about how David beat
Goliath? The moral of that story was
that through faith and belief, an inexpe-
rienced shepherd, against all the odds,
can defeat a trained warrior.
Imagine the odds when a relatively
unknown University of Pretoria soccer
team (TUKS FC) came up against the
mighty Kaizer Chiefs – a team that has
hosted the likes of Manchester United in
pre-season friendlies. Varsity students
were pitted against international level
players who have made a living out of
kicking a ball. There could only be one
winner, you would think.
As the match started, I found myself
talking to a friend and barely paying
attention. But after a few goals from
both teams, our conversation came to an
abrupt end as my eyes were firmly glued
to the telly.
I found myself cheering for David
(TUKS FC in this case), praying for a
giant killing, and I was not disappointed
as TUKS FC emerged victorious with a
final score of 4-3.
But the story doesn’t end there. TUKS
FC has gone on to beat Bloemfontein
Celtics and pre-tournament favourites
Ajax Cape Town, in what the media has
described as a “fairytale”.
Although they had a chance of win-
ning the prestigious Nedbank Cup, their
loss to Moroko Swallows on Saturday 23
May meant that the fairytale ending was
not to be. Nevertheless, the hype around
TUKS transcended national borders
when various international websites
wrote about their success.
The Rhodes soccer team can cer-
tainly learn from TUKS FC. Rhodes has
had an average season to say the least.
They began the SASSU campus league
season with two victories but have lost
their last three games.
While University of Pretoria recruits
skilled players each season through
scholarships, Rhodes provides few in-
centives for talented soccer players.
I have since watched all the TUKS
FC games and they certainly have
determination and grit which is lack-
ing within the Rhodes soccer ranks. It
remains to be seen whether or not the
Rhodes team can rekindle their early
season form.

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