e : page 4 & 5 Culinary crisis?

No t
c k uide
s to Centre page pull-out Curing kitchen conundrums
page 7
Qui
eg
enc
refer
er s’ fe.
writ the digs li

The Oppidan Press

a ff o f
St ects
asp
key

O - Week edition, 4 - 11 February 2007

The Sub-warden Experiment

F
By Claire Carr and Mbali Mabaso
or the first time, Rhodes is
Samantha Mundeta Gordon Barker
Samantha is doing her final year LLB. Gordon is the Oppidan Warden
introducing Oppidan and oversees the sub-wardens
She loves hosting dinner parties and
sub-wardens to offer sup- as well as the Oppidan Commit-
creating extravagant platters of food.
port to students not part of

.
She also likes to get in touch with tee. Crime and relations with
the residence system. The landlords and neighbours are
her creative side by composing jazz
move helps redress the university’s some of the Oppi issues which
music and reading poetry.
perceived neglect of Oppidans, but its Barker can help with.
impact is unpredictable.
Ask Samantha for advice on your next
The new Oppi sub-wardens will
be in charge of looking after students’ Jen Thorpe dinner party:
g03m1684@campus.ru.ac.za
Email:
g.barker@ru.ac.za
needs and administrative issues. “We Jen is currently doing Politics

.
hope that first year Oppi students will Masters and is in her fifth year at

.
use them as a port of call when they Rhodes. Jen admits to being a total
have problems or questions,” explains nerd for politics and she enjoys
Gordon Barker, the current Oppidan
Warden.
British comedy.
Aameena Daya
Barker was previously supported Email Jen for any digs advice: Aameena is your easy access
by only the Oppidan Committee, an g03t0515@campus.ru.ac.za to legal advice. She is doing
elected body that retains their im- her final year of LLB. Aameena
portant role as administrators. Oppi
.
is an avid reader, enjoys

.
sub-warden Farayi Chikuni says: “I see spending time outdoors and
the Comm as the General who does the loves to cook.
dirty admin work. As for the sub-war-
dens, I see us as being the foot soldiers Email Aameena for some
that cater for everyone on a micro kitchen ideas:
scale.” g03d1712@campus.ru.ac.za
The Oppi sub-wardens are an

.
experiment, and their exact duties and
functions remain unclear. “There will
need to be fine tuning, but we’ll try it
for a year,” says Barker. Tanya Milward
Tanya is doing her Masters

.
in Chemistry. She is looking
forward to helping first year
Oppies settle into their new

.
environment and is happy to
give as much help and advice
to them as possible.
Garyn Rapson Have Tanya make you feel at
Garyn will be completing his final year home:
of law and is hoping to contribute some g02m0297@campus.ru.ac.za
of his legal experience to the job. Garyn

.
can be found having one or two drinks
at the Rat and Parrot and is also a spin-
ning instructor at the gym.

Catch Garyn when he’s not in the gym:

g03r0845@campus.ru.ac.za
Grant Howarth
Grant has spent two years in
residence and two years as an
Oppi. Grant is a big supporter

Farayi Chikuni
of the Grahamstown social
scene and will often be found
somewhere on New Street on
Farayi is doing his Honours in Tax this
year. Farayi is very involved in Team
Oppi, which represents the Oppies in
Xoliswa Dzakwa a Friday night.

Contact Grant for a night out:

sport at Rhodes. He is also addicted to Xoliswa is in her penultimate year of g03h0421@campus.ru.ac.za
the 10pm movies at Roxbury where you LLB. She brings her experience from last
can see the latest releases for only R10. year’s Oppi Comm to the sub-warden job.
Xoliswa is a friendly, approachable per-
Contact Farayi if you are interested in son; but don’t disturb her when women’s
finding out more about sport at Rhodes: golf is showing on Supersport.
g04c2827@campus.ru.ac.za
Contact Xoliswa if you need a steady
shoulder to lean on:
g04d5820@campus.ru.ac.za

welcomes you all to

Rhodes
The person who said your school days were your best days never went to Rhodes!

2 Page 7
Editorial
If your first day in Grahamstown
was anything like mine, you will
have arrived here with a mixture of
excitement and trepidation.
Doubly so, because you are not living in
the safe haven of a university residence.
You are probably feeling a bit like a
novice tightrope walker, with a postage
stamp-sized safety net somewhere way
down below you in the murky gloom.
The good news is that there has
never been a better time to be an Oppi.
No, seriously. This year, for the first
time, the university has appointed eight
Oppidan subwardens to lend a support-
ing shoulder to Oppies wherever they
live in Grahamstown. Being a brand
new venture, no one is sure whether it
will work or not. But the idea behind it
is sound, so it’s up to us to make it work.
Starting from the second term, the
brand-new Oppidan dining hall throws
open its doors for the famished and the
parched. Full credit to the university
for implementing this. My mum eyed
me closely when I went home at the
end of last year and asked suspiciously,
“Have you been eating anything?” I
guess I had that hungry look in my eye,
which comes from surviving a full day
on campus on a couple of chocolate
bars bought for an arm and a leg at the
campus Kaif.
The other bit of good news is this
newspaper you’re holding. Yep, you are
clutching the first edition of The Oppi-
dan Press ever to be published. Our plan
is to come out on Wednesdays every
two weeks during term-time. Look out
for us. You will receive a copy in your
digs mailbox, and we will also be found
in supermarkets, cafés and other shops
around town. Please remember that we
are here to serve Oppies, so feel free
to contact us with your comments and
observations.
So, I guess all that remains is for me
to wish you all the very best for this
year.
Lionel Faull
editor.oppipress@gmail.com
Pic: Leon Schnell
I am committed to providing an approachable, accountable,
dynamic and effective SRC working with University Admin-
istration for mutual benefit. My aim is to create an efficient
but nurturing leadership that is geared towards representing
president@src.ru.ac.za
O-Week
OPPIDAN
SPECIAL EDITION
Social calendar
We recommend the hottest O-Week events
Landlords’ welcoming committee
Crazy cat women
Friendly
but freaky
Illustrations: Alex Dubb
couple
Crazy cat woman Friendly but freaky couple
Survivor Digs: Grahamstown
By Kelebetseng Scheppers
kitchen cabinet. carrot. Their smoking may not bother
You are now an adult, faced with Unlike students in residence, you now, but by the end of the year
the challenges of dealing with the your money is not for take-aways and you may be tired of smelling like an
municipality as well as your studies, clothing, it is for survival and there will over-used chimney. Likewise, their
be days when you have no money. Sho- drinking may not be a problem today,
and the reality is that your essay
“You know
prite (fifteen minutes’ walk from cam- until they are broke and it’s their turn
has to be handed in regardless of pus on Beaufort Street) is the cheapest to buy electricity. “I’m just glad I lived
whether you had electricity or not. place in town for your grocery needs. with people who share my habits. It just
Get candles – you will need them. Store manager, Ruby Mgijimn, says: makes life that much easier because we
First goal: find shelter. Visit estate
agents in town. The closest estate agents
to campus are Drostdy Estates (in Pep-
you’re in “We have specials from Wednesday
to Sunday, so those are the days when
most people do their heavy shopping.”
understand each other,” says Andrew
Forsythe, a student who has lived in
digs for two years. The best habit is
trouble
per Grove Mall) and Pam Golding Es- An additional great investment are respect for others.
tates (on New Street). There are certain the Shoprite savings tickets. Each ticket Belinda Pote from Remax Frontier
things to be aware of, such as whether is worth ten rand and can be exchanged Properties says: “Students should move
when the
the digs has a prepaid electricity meter for any items bought in the store. Mgi- in with friends, because then it is just
or is on account. Prepaid is generally jimn says: “The tickets are useful espe- easier to handle household problems.”
more convenient, as the municipality is cially at the end of the month. You can Moving in with friends is a good idea,
not involved. buy them at the beginning of the month but do not despair if you cannot choose
Jillian Tyson from Drostdy Estates
advises students to read their contracts
to see what their digs offers. Some
people on and keep them for whenever you need
to get food but you have no money.”
But take heart: you are broke, not
your digs mates. Treena Mashu, who
lived with four guys last year, says she
enjoyed her digs experience: “I can’t
Survivor are
students’ dream digs probably includes poor. The other broke people around imagine living in a house full of girls.
electricity, water, furniture and being you, your digs mates, will be the nu- The guys are chilled and we have a good
able to fall out of bed onto campus. cleus of your off-campus experience. time.”
eating
These kinds of digs are not only rare; You do not just sleep under the same At some point, students seem to
they are usually more expensive so the roof as them. You cook, buy groceries, forget that they live in a town with
wish should actually be for unlimited share clothes, go out, study and bunk other residents. If you’re having a party,
finances. Millicent Ndobeni, a second lectures with them. It’s important to set writing a note to your neighbours could
year student, says: “By the end of the
year, I felt guilty asking my father for
more money each month. But what
better than boundaries between each other at the
beginning of the year to avoid nasty
scenarios. Janine Vermeulen, from
save a lot of trouble. You might also
want to warn the people who live with
you.
you are.”
does he think I live on?” Pam Golding Estates, says: “I have had Digs may appear to be fun and
Money issues will surface through- students lock their digs mates out of the games, but this is not always the case.
out the year. “You know you’re in house and change the locks.” Remember Mbali Mabaso, a third year digs student,
trouble when the people on Survivor are this is digs, not Friends. says: “When my clothes were stolen
eating better than you are,” says Lebo- It’s not always a personality from the washing line in June, I realised
hang Thulo, a third year digs student. clash; sometimes it is the housemate’s that this is real. I cannot cry to my
Thulo has two slices of bread left in her weekend habits that will grate your mother anymore.”
FATEMA EVAN
President Vice-President
I am red-headed, spirited, loud, confident and the man in
charge of �������������
coordinating ������������
Orientation �����
Week �����
2007 ����������������
and the running
of the SRC Elections. My personal challenge this year is to
maintain team coordination, organization and communication.
students’ interests.
vice@src.ru.ac.za
 3

Excellence in education

Rhodes University’s Communications and Development Division wishes the www.ru.ac.za

Oppi Press the best of luck as it enters the world of student media at Rhodes!

A special welcome to all first-year Oppidan students: here’s hoping your

time at Rhodes is illuminating, intellectually stimulating and lots of fun!

telephone: 046 603 8517 fax: 046 603 8744 e-mail: n.joseph@ru.ac.za

CHRIS
Societies
I am enormously excited about working with societies this
year to foster great extra-curricular involvement for all
students. I deal with all society queries and I help societies to
achieve their objectives.
RENEA
International
I have a passion for working with international students. I
aim to create an environment that enhances integration be-
tween local and international students. I am approachable
and willing to provide assistance to those who need it.

societies@src.ru.ac.za international@src.ru.ac.za
 O-Week
OPPIDAN

4
SPECIAL EDITION

e :
N ot BIRITE
i c k g uid e s to

u fe renc
e
Q writers’ re the digs life. BUYERS AND SELLERS OF
NEW & SECOND HAND FURNITURE
Staff ts of
pec
27 Bathurst Street, Grahamstown
as Tel/Fax: 046 622 2983
key
27 Bathurst Street, Grahamstown
Tel/Fax: 046 622 2983

Access
ing ac
count
By Simo
Access t n
Allison
o mone s
HIV twoerthsting The bes yw
t and sa ill be one of t
ally out fest pla he mos
to ce t t im
By Faith Bos high ba get as much o o put money i portant issues
nk char s
rsity life has so muc
h to offer and we ges, the f your money a in a bank. Alt for you at univ
y s hough b e
anks ar rsity.
es . Un ive s e t hey can
SHARC welcomes yo
u to Rh od this journey with Absa, F e m to ha
m uc h as yo u can. Embark upon low to ir st Natio ve a s o f
, i n t h e fo e g en
as t spot f r
or stud m of ridiculou er-
nc e
urge you to experie no nal
Rhode fees. They a Bank and Sta
confidence. s confi re easy ndard e nts. s ly
ow your HIV status. addres r ming t to open B ank all
Know yourself – kn ntial.
ely confide
s( hat ,b
also off such as a util you are a stu ut make sure ffer student a
o
ur results are entir ers a st ities bil dent (c you tak ccount
, easy and free! Yo them e u d l) o e s with
Getting tested is qu ick
xpensiv ent account . Foreign stu ntact the Stu some ID, a rela
ted? A conv e and inco b u t has n d e nts mus d e nt Burea le tter fro tively
Where to get tes the Union Building
. e n ie n nv e nient. o br anch or t b r in u ) an m
Ce ntr e loc ate d on the top floor of get all
your te t account to ATM in g their passp d proof of
Counselling need a x tbooks o p G or t s.
On Campus: The Open weekdays 9-5
pm.
rset and Hill. lo an
en is at
U
raham
stown, Nedbank
e, loc ate d on Do nk in Street off Some guaran t easier. To o d stationery PB, the boo which
Raphae l Ce ntr tee pay pen an , and a kseller makes
Off campus: The Open weekdays 9-3
pm. nation m a U fo
al stud ent of the ac ccount, a par PB credit car r Rhodes. Th
ents w
ED! ill need count. Credit ent or guardia d makes gett is is where y
Aids and get TEST to pay u n in ou
STEP UP to HIV/ a R300 p to a maxim will have to g the things
0 minim um of deposit you
um dep R 2000 is R1
osit. availab 000 and
le. Inte
r-

worries
A Wa r d e n ’s
By Gordon Barker
us ed wi th be ing some sort of
noise policeman
. There is a FABLES BOOKSHOP
es conf than that.
arden is sometim more to his role ans who need
The Oppidan W id ea , bu t there is much in te rests of Oppid WE BUY AND SELL TEXTBOOKS FOR MOST DEPARTMENTS
of tru th in th at lo ok aft er th e en ts, crises
ai n to em
gr
an d fo re m ost he is there le m la nd lo rds, lease agre erty in a GREAT STOCK OF GENERAL READING
Firs t
that with rega
rd to prob vision of prop
assistance, be or ev en so rt ing out the di er ns ab out their
floods or fire ith major co nc
t ab ou t by e pa re nt s w th e Oppidan
brough . There ar th. A visit by WE PAY CASH
at has soured me for a mon “problem”
relationship th t ca lle d ho so lved , th e
en t ch ild re n who have no m e, an d th e “problem” is
stud k call ho
e digs, a quic in
WE RECOMMEND YOU BUY YOUR BOOKS EARLY
Warden to th ime”. e Oppi Comm am
ra lly be in g “o ut of ai rt
-p ro fil e ro le in assisting th l G ar de ns , Te
gene
, he is th er e to play a low br un ch es in the Botanica en ga ge the
Second hes’, Sunday activities that
rang in g ‘m unch and punc sport and the many other JUST DOWN FROM KING PIE
ar res
ation in inter- volves
Oppi particip . This even in
tim e of th e O pp i C om m .
G ow n’ is su es to be resolved
is e is co m bined with 119 HIGH STREET, GRAHAMSTOWN
dl y, th er e ar e ‘Town and ie s, pa rt ic ul arly when no er th e years
Thir other Opp opped up ov
aining about es that have cr rden too
Oppies compl te re st in g is su es in th ei r ga
TEL/FAX 046 636-1525
tim e te ns ions. Some in th e O pp ie s had cut bush ne ou t on the
exam
r w ho co m plained that pe t ra bb it th at used to di EMAIL rhodope@fables.co.za
– a neighbou i
, and an Opp
g her privacy)
low (destroyin pa tch.
getable
neighbour’s ve

HANNAH KAMBANI
Marketing Entertainment
I will be representing Nelson Mandela Hall on the SRC and I In a nutshell I would be a nut. But because I am a student and
am also responsible for marketing. 2007 is going to bring a member of the SRC I can safely say that I am a human being.
challenges that I can’t wait to tackle. So bring it on! Fun-loving and spontaneous, I am responsible for student
entertainment. I am open to all your ideas so please keep them
marketing@src.ru.ac.za coming. entertainment@src.ru.ac.za
 O-Week
OPPIDAN

5
SPECIAL EDITION

Coughing up Keeping itBy LahraeFarisa

lthy
By Shingiri_rai Chaza
healthy,
ve to be a nightmare.
Before
ch al le n ge if you want to stay ries. It is
no t ha a huge l to pizza delive
Living in digs is
ilitie s do es hether water,
Paying for your ut contract to see w an d ar e pa rt ia
ill stay
ch ec k yo ur
to keep the have a car ress – you can st
especially if you
be r to
you do so, remem If not, this is how ou t. D on ’t st
ke the easy way
y ar e in clu de d.
curit
electricity and se tempting to ta
y ha pp y: e some tips: s every day fo
r the
healthy. Here ar
Munici pa lit
al uit and veggie
s of fr
gh Street, or the loc n different type
ls are th e Municipality, on Hi ati on , Try to eat seve tween
Water to pay for wa ter bil
via the post to eit he r loc
mins and min
er als. u can walk be
The two main place
s in Grahamstown
e th e do cu m en tation sent to you . necessary vita no t to us e it all the time. Yo e is go od up-
ergrove Mall. Simply
tak
details and accoun
t numbers
If you do own
a car try gr oc er ie s back hom
Pick ‘n Pay in Pepp ents will have your rying yo ur e – the m gy
ey ov er. Th e do cu m
or to the shops. Car w ay to keep in shap
and hand the mon le ctur es , also a go od ning, aerobics
the se. The gym is can enjoy spin
ple as paying for wa
ter, again either at per arm exerci un t an d yo u
as sim th e ur student acco
Electri city ying for ele ctr ici ty is
to bear in m ind is that
fees go onto yo all metabolic
reac-
epaid electricity, pa ents. Another thing ur stay in ning. important for
Unless you have pr n’t forge t your do cu m
claim back at th e en d of yo
and weight trai is ve ry lo ts of
ck ‘n Pay – just do sit, which you can you have prepaid water. W at er ectively w ith
Municipality or Pi he fty R1 050 electricity depo , wo men and song). If Drink loads of dy fu nc tions more eff co ho l) .
lit y wi ll req uir e a red aw ay on wi ne ifies your digs. dy. Yo ur bo es (such as al
tions in your bo ts rid of toxins and impuriti
un icipa an fritte ide nt
M
it m on ey saved, rather th the ele ctricity box. This g and dr in k-
cessive smokin
ns ide r fou nd on er ge
your digs (co number which is rk is never fun. water, and wat of ex avy
re you know your being left in the da cal Rhodes lifes ty le If you ar e a he
electricity, make su aid ele ctr ici ty as The stereotypi sm ok er, use filters.
itor your prep a he av y co ve r. A nd
Make sure to mon y. If you are so your body
can re
ing is unhealth ng to certain days ally transmitted
it dr in ki e. Se xu
drinker, lim if yo u ar e se xually activ
otection
finally : use pr now, and wha
t you
es are ou t there. responsibility
diseas al th is yo ur r in life.
at your he plications late
Remember th ca n have serious im
ur bo dy
do now to yo

How to lose your DP

By Boitumelo Mpete
It’s a name that will haunt your academic life. It will be the reason you wake up for your
dawnie tutorial on a Thursday morning and why you actually write all those essays. It’s your
lifeline at University and without it you can’t move on to the next stage.
The Duly Performed Certificate, more affectionately known as a “DP”, is what the academic depart-
ments award students who perform well enough during the term and the course of the year. Your
DP
determines whether you are eligible to write exams, and we all know that no exams equals no credits
therefore no degree.
There are a couple of ways that a student can lose their DP. The conditions of a DP require that
a
minimum number of assignments should be submitted in order for a student to retain their DP.
Most
students need to submit at least 80% of the coursework, and to attend 80% of the tutorials.
If students do not fulfill these requirements then they are at risk of losing their DP. However, receiv-
ing the dreaded DP refusal letter is not the end of the world – the issue can be appealed, and that
is
where the SRC Academic Councillor comes in. She can represent you at the Department and negotiate
for the return of your DP.
Retaining your DP requires consistent performance throughout the year. Without it your academic
lifeline is cut short and explaining to mom and dad why you’re back from term so early will not
be
pleasant. So when you’re battling to open your eyes for yet another tutorial, feel comforted by the
thought that after you stand there graduating with your cap and gown, you will never have to be
wor-
ried by those two little letters again.

NEW & IMPROVED

Crisis management
Wallace’s Pharmacy
By Claire Carr and Ines Schumacher

You might think that in a town as small as this one you would be safer than in the big city.
You might be. Your belongings won’t.
Research by the Crime Information Analysis Centre (CIAC) shows that common robbery in
Grahamstown has increased since 1997. The same is true of the incidents of rape and
common assault. It would be a mistake to be completely disregarding of common sense
precautions. The Oppidan Press will be investigating crime in Grahamstown continuously. Also
watch out for a regular crime-meter running in each edition. Carry a pepper-spray with you, lock

Free give-aways with new accounts your windows and doors and report any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood to the local
police station.

Special discounts and benefits for students Useful Numbers

Police: 046 603 9412
Fire Brigade: 046 622 4444
Settlers Hospital: 046 622 2215
Electricity: 046 603 6026
Peppergrove Mall Water: 046 603 6136
Tel: 046 622 7373 Locksmith: 082 556 9975
Mr. Gordon Barker: 046 603 8430
Email: wallace@intekom.co.za

KATHERINE KEITH
Academic Oppidan
I am looking at devoting myself to the SRC and to aiding As your Oppidan rep, I am here to facilitate Oppie involve-
students in the academic arena. I am the port of call for all ment in all walks of university life. Our success as Oppidans
academic issues, and work closely with the class reps to en- depends on each and every one of us getting involved. Once
sure Rhodes’ learning environment is suitable for the we accomplish this we will realize our goals.
success of all.
academic@src.ru.ac.za oppidan@src.ru.ac.za

6
Where’s the mon€y at?
By Shingirirai Chaza
The idea of university appeals to
many: new opportunities, freedom,
and the ability to make your own
choices in how you maintain your
new lifestyle and handle your re-
sponsibilities. However, these new
choices (as most things do) come at
a price. The simple solution? Get a
job.
There are a number of ways for
a student to make money in Gra-
hamstown without being limited to
waitering or bartending, although these
options should not be overlooked. “The
hours worked are rather flexible, and
enable me to gain some sort of financial
independence from my parents,” says
Dale Sandberg, a waitress in town. She
works one night a week, for an average
of 5 to 6 hours, and is on rotation with
other waitrons. Heloise Collet, a video
store attendant, also highlights financial
independence as her motivation for
having a job. Having at least one shift
a week, she attends to customers when
they collect or return films, as well as
creating contracts and accounts for new
customers.
There are alternative jobs that
can be found on campus, as Zibusiso
Ncube, a Statistics 1D tutor, found.
Ncube received an invitation from the
Statistics department to tutor a two-
Nights to come
By Kelebetseng Scheppers
You thought registration was
enough to become a Rhodent? No,
you have to earn the title just as
you earn the academic degree. The
real life-lessons take place outside
the classroom and thankfully, that’s
where most of the night events
take place. The Oppidan Press
reviews the year’s events: What’s
worth the loaf of bread you should
actually be buying instead of the
ticket?
Term 1 – “Get
to know me” term
First years are eager to get to know oth-
ers (no, you’re not the only person who
thought going across the country to a
place you’ve never seen before, to study
something you’ve never heard of before
was a great idea), so meeting people will
be a breeze.
For more of a breeze the beach is
the place to be. Religious societies
often organise beach trips (look out for
Rhodes is a conglomeration of diverse individuals.
‘Student benefits’ can be construed differently by every
student. I hope to incorporate the diversity of this campus
with the aim of working towards a common goal for the
benefits@src.ru.ac.za
period tutorial once a week. His job
is to supplement lecture material not
understood by the students as well as to
assess and give feedback on tests done
during the semester and in the tutorials.
Although Ncube is paid, his reasons
behind accepting the job were self-
motivation, discipline and providing a
foundation for his Bachelor of Account-
ing degree.
posters) and will take non-members
along. You’ll have to pay basic transport
costs but, like most Rhodes events, it’s
more affordable than other cities (R40
upwards).
Other worthwhile events include: DJ
Fresh at the Drill Hall (Drill Hall events
take place throughout the year), themed
parties on New Street, piano recitals at
the Music department and stArt (Stu-
dent Art Festival).
Term 2 – “I suppose I
should study” term
If the guilt has not got to you yet it’s still
possible to have a good time. For those
cultured souls the Drama and Music
departments have some great events
lined up. Other events to watch out for
include: on-campus movie nights,
comedy evenings and charity events.
Term 3 – “It’s morning
already?” term
Third term is probably the most socially
hectic term. Between different balls,
MATHAPELO
Student Benefits
benefit of all.
O-Week
OPPIDAN
SPECIAL EDITION
Although there are options out
there, there is some difficulty in actually
finding a job. Student jobs are hardly
ever advertised and most are found by
word-of-mouth, either through a refer-
ence by a friend or by invitation. Sug-
gestions have been voiced that to better
the job finding process, employers in
Grahamstown could release a forum of
available vacancies. This could encour-
age competition between students to
work efficiently and could make them
pro-active in finding jobs. Ncube says
that what is really needed is some sort
of awareness, especially in jobs such as
his, where students can benefit from
knowing what the possibilities are.
Remuneration varies too, with jobs
on a shift basis offering an average of
R14 per hour and campus jobs, such as
tutoring, offering an average of R300
per month.
Grahamstown work culture seems
to be one that is relaxed and informal.
Another thing that is relaxed in the
job process is the existence of recourse
regarding complaints and the rights of
students. In many instances, there is no
contract to formalise the employment
of a student, or even a precise job de-
scription. This raises a few concerns as
to what would happen in possible cases
of unmerited firing. It is something that
needs to be seriously looked into to
protect students.
Battle of the Bands, Youth Week
events, the Founder’s Challenge
and Trivarsity, you won’t have a free
weekend. But what’s the one thing
you must (must!) attend? The Hindu
Student’s Society (HSS) Cultural
Evening. The show is starting to
include more cultures and the per-
formers are not only from Gra-
hamstown. In 2006 there were also
mapantsula performances (
contemporary African ethnic dance)
and traditional South African dances
at the event. And we haven’t even
mentioned yet the good Indian food
(mostly vegetarian, and it’s not all
spicy) and the after party. Buy a
ticket.
Term 4 – “Sorry guys, I
have to be home by
midnight” term
Now the kak hits the fan. Third term
got you and the countdown until
exams starts. Parties end at 3am (al-
right, some of them), the labs and the
library are full of familiar characters
“Although the
options are out
there,
there is some
difficulty in
actually
finding a job.”
Once you’ve found the job that will
support your independence, there is
the question of academic priority. Time
management is paramount in university
as it is, and having a job must be some-
thing you can handle. “I can bring some
work in if the restaurant is not too busy,
but if my work load increases, like dur-
ing exams, then I can swap shifts with
other waitrons,” says Sandberg. The
relaxed job culture in Grahamstown
Pics: Jacky Smith
obviously helps to support this.
It seems that Grahamstown does
have a lot to offer; all one needs to do is
keep their eyes and ears open.
(funny, isn’t that the same face I saw ciety Soiree, the Boatraces, Heritage
at Friar’s yesterday?) and the night- Day celebrations and the Oppidan
life…what nightlife? I have an essay due Hall Picnic.
tomorrow! There is so much happening
The Captivate Student Media Con- throughout the year that the excuse
ference takes place in the fourth term. of being bored in a small town
Previous celebs spotted at Captivate in- doesn’t really work. As a friend
clude: Graeme Joffe, Sami Sabiti, Unathi once told me when I wanted to
Nkayi and Natalie Dixon. Also look out sleep in: “You’re twenty, with no
for various Christians-@-Rhodes events children, nothing to do tomor-
throughout the year. The mission held row and R50 in your wallet. Your
last year featured celebs like Michael parents are the other side of the
Mol and Penny Heyns.
Other events include: the French So-
country. Am I missing something
here?”
Term 1: Look forward to
themed parties.
Pic: Gaynor Barnard
Term 2: Comedies performed at
1 2
the Rhodes Theatre are good
value for money.
Pic: Matthew Middleton
Term 3: Tri-Varsity is the time
when all Rhodents unite in
purple!
Pic: Leon Schnell
4 3
Term 4: Competitive spirits will
enjoy the Boatraces.
Pic: Matthew Middleton
RICARDO
Media and Public Relations
The biggest complaint, warranted or not, has been SRC com-
munication. My mission this year is to reduce these com-
plaints by managing our use of various media efficiently.
media@src.ru.ac.za

Being Jamie Oliver (on a budget)
By Sarah Laird
It’s your first time in digs, and
in all probability, it’s your first
experience of cooking for yourself.
Cooking is not as daunting as most
people think it is – it can actually be
a lot of fun! All you need are a few
basic guidelines…
Top 20 Must-Have Groceries:
(Most of these items will last for a
while)
1 – Tea or Coffee (R17 – R30)
2 – Sugar (R6.39 for 1Kg)
3 – Salt and Pepper (R14 – R18)
4 – Herbs or Seasonings of your choice
(R8)
5 – Pasta (R5.89)
6 – Breakfast Cereal (R10 – R20)
7 – Cooking Oil (R49.99 for 5L)
8 – Rice (R13.99 for 2Kg)
9 – Milk (R7.29)
10 – Bread (R3.99)
11 – Eggs (R6.99)
12 – Cheese (R10)
13 – Butter/Margarine (R12)
14 – Tuna Cans (R7.69)
15 – Chicken Pieces/Breasts (R23 for 5)
16 – Frozen Vegetables (R20)
17 – Spray and Cook (R18)
18 – Mayonnaise or Tomato Sauce
(R12.69/R10.79)
19 – Potatoes (R10.99 for a bag)
20 – Fruit/Vegetables of your choice
TOTAL = ±R258
Witchcraft and wrestling hoboes
Grahamstown’s notorious digs
By Simon Allison
If walls could talk the ones of a
Grahamstown digs would undoubt-
edly provide us with countless
stories.
Every digs has a history but it’s the
way that history is retold that yields sto-
ries so infamous, or strange, that they
are told and retold all over campus. Like
a game of Chinese whispers, they are
twisted and exaggerated until no one
is really sure how they started or even
if they are true. By this stage, however,
truth is hardly important, because it’s
what people believe that make them
point at certain houses as they walk past
and say in hushed voices, “Do you know
what happened there?”
At Rhodes, there are two digs which
stand alone in infamy: Mordor and
the Blue House. The Blue House is on
African Street – it’s the one painted blue
(you would think a place famous for its
drug-induced alternative culture could
come up with a more creative name). It
was once celebrated for being perma-
nently hotboxed, but the name now has
an even edgier connotation as the venue
for the Pagan Society.
During my term of office I will endeavour to make sure
that the SRC is also able to reach the student body at a
personal level. I believe in the effective administration of
student societies and I look forward to great events from
the societies and sports clubs in the coming year.
societies@src.ru.ac.za
O-Week
No dough...
It’s the end of the month, and you
only have R20…
You can eat unhealthily by going
through packets of 2-Minute noodles
(R2.69 each), or you could have…
A baked potato and a can of tuna;
Like-It-Lean ready-made meals for
one: Ostrich goulash, macaroni, filleted
chicken breasts, chicken á la king, sir-
loin steak etc. (these range from R10.99
to R24.99);
Pick ’n Pay pre-packed meals: Sand-
wiches, pies, baguettes etc. (these range
from R4.99 – R14.99);
Pasta, served with sauce-in a-packet
from Royco (R5.99).
Pic: Gaynor Barnard
PaganSoc is the spiritual home of
all those seeking something outside the
ambit of organised religion, embrac-
ing everything from celebrations of the
Festival of Isis to potion-making. Of
course, this has led to accusations of
witchcraft and calls for burning at the
stake to be reintroduced (OK, maybe
not that last one) and so the Blue House
has cemented its reputation as being
more than a little off-centre.
Mordor is perceived quite differ-
ently. First, imagine your stereotypical
Smuts jocks. If you are new to Rhodes,
think white private school boys
drinking and womanising copiously
while repeatedly shouting “dude” and
readjusting their tackle. Now, move the
best (or worst) eight of the bunch into a
house on Somerset with no rules and no
supervision. This is Mordor, or at least
what it is reputed to be.
I went to find out for myself. Look-
ing through the window, it seemed to
live up to its reputation – all I could
see were golf clubs and an upturned
table, with beer adverts and FHM
pictures on the wall. I was disappointed
to find, however, that all the current
RUTENDO
Societies and Sport
OPPIDAN
SPECIAL EDITION
Pot luck...
You are having 3 friends over for
dinner…
To serve 4 people, it’s best to make a
big pot of something that everybody
will enjoy, allowing people to have
seconds at no additional cost (or there
might even be leftovers for you for the
next day). Follow this quick recipe, and
they’ll be begging for more…
Chicken Curry
1 chopped onion
4 chicken breasts (or 1 per person)
300ml boiling chicken stock
Frozen corn
4 chopped/sliced carrots
1 tsp fresh garlic
1 tin of coconut milk
1 packet of curry powder
6 potatoes
Rice
Brown the onion in a little oil. Chop
the chicken into bite size pieces; add to
the onion and brown. Add the chicken
stock. Add the corn, carrots, garlic,
coconut milk and curry powder. cook for 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning
Peel and chop the potatoes and add to
the pot. Allow it to boil for a few min-
utes, and then reduce the heat to sim-
mering. Cover it and allow it to cook
for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Serve on rice.
“You would think
a place famous
for its drug-in-
duced alterna-
tive culture could
come up with a
more creative
name.”
Kitchen glitches...
Your oven breaks and it’s your turn to
make the digs dinner…
Easy solution – use your microwave!
Practically anything can be made in
a microwave, from scrambled eggs to
roast lamb.
Bolognaise (serves 4):
2 Tablespoons of oil
1 chopped onion
2 chopped cloves of garlic
450g x minced beef
1 chopped green pepper
3 tins of chopped and peeled tomatoes
275ml boiling beef stock
1 small tin of tomato puree
Salt, pepper and herbs
Heat the oil in a large bowl for 2 min-
utes on 100% power. Add onion and
garlic, cover, and cook on 100% for 3
minutes. Add the minced beef, stir well
and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in all the
remaining ingredients and season well.
Cook on 100% for 10 minutes and stir.
Reduce microwave to 50% power and
to taste. Serve with spaghetti.
residents were from College House.
Apparently, the lease contract stipulated
that they could not be from Smuts.
It also stipulated that there could be
no more Bring ‘n Burns, a long-stand-
ing Mordor tradition where people put
all sorts of strange things onto a huge
bonfire, from Chemistry notes to old
takkies.
Another alleged Mordor tradi-
tion was to play Bergie-ators – getting
homeless people to go through obsta-
cles and wrestle in the garden for some
unspecified prize, in a twisted version of
Gladiators. So bizarre it could actually
be true.
Of course, there is more to the
legends of both Mordor and the Blue
House, which doubtless you will have
heard or will hear. It’s not always easy to
tell what is fact or fiction when it comes
to these sorts of rumours, though I am
inclined to believe that some of it must
be true. After all, where there’s smoke,
there’s fire. By the time a digs has
become a conversation piece, however,
truth is not important.
It is how you tell the tale that
counts.
XOLANI
Treasurer
I aim to use our budget wisely and to the greatest effect
possible for the benefit of all students.
7
O-Week social
events
By Kelebetseng Scheppers
Bored? You shouldn’t be. The Stu-
dent Representative Council (SRC)
has lined up a schedule to keep you
entertained. You may be exhausted
from the daily lectures, and it’s
a big adjustment to be here, so
to save time The Oppidan Press
highlights this week’s worthwhile
events (and which events to avoid).
Sunday 4 February
@8h30pm: Lush lawns, a mild sum-
mer evening, shimmering stars, soft
jazz in the background… the SRC Jazz
Evening will be hosted at St. Peter’s
Lawns, near Eden Grove. Bring your
parents along for something you can all
enjoy together.
Monday 5 February
@5h00pm: The first official function of
the week takes place at the 1820 Settler’s
Monument (the building on the hill
above campus). Saleem Badat (the Vice-
Chancellor) and the SRC President will
be giving their opening addresses. Is it a
thrilling social event? Not exactly, but it
is there to make you feel welcome.
@6h30pm: Something slightly more en-
tertaining is the Oppidan Hall’s Cheese
and Wine which will be held in the
Zoology Foyer. This is a great time to
meet other students. It’s a semi-formal
occasion – one of the few times you will
be dressed up in Grahamstown.
Tuesday 6 February
@8h45pm: This you must attend: the
SRC’s comedy evening at the Union,
showcasing some of Grahamstown’s co-
medians and comediennes. The comedy
evening has been well attended each
year by first years and older students.
Wednesday 7 February
There’s nothing thrilling in the time-
table planned, so tonight is probably
a good night to leave your parents at
home and go out to have a drink with
your new-found friends. And if you
haven’t made any yet: come out from
under your rock! People are dying to
meet you.
Thursday 8 February
@8h30pm: Book your ticket. This is
definitely one of the week’s highlights.
The SRC’s Champagne Movie Premiere
is worth every cent and it’s a guaranteed
good time for everyone who attends.
The movie premiere will be held at the
Roxbury cinema in Peppergrove Mall.
Friday 9 February
@7h45pm: The wild night has arrived!
It’s the SRC Street Party at the Union
Lawns. If you’ve never been to a street
party, this is something you should defi-
nitely go to. In fact, even if you’ve been
to one, go again. Some students say it
was memorable. The rest… well, they
don’t remember much.
Saturday 10 February
Sleep. You will need it.
treasurer@src.ru.ac.za
 8 The Oppidan Press Sport
Playing the slower ball
By Saint-Francis Tohlang

Welcome to the world of headache
pills being the most sought after
drug on the sports field, where
the ‘A’ team is the only team and
enduring a full day cricket match
on a Saturday acquires you ‘legen-
dary’ status. Sport changes drasti-
cally at university, characterised
by decreased participation, heavy
boozing, less fixtures, more boozing
and a less competitive edge.
Finding your feet on the university
sports field may be just as difficult as
finding your way around campus or
resisting a night out before a game.
Adapting to this new game sees the fast-
paced and overly glorified sports arena
in high school transferred to the social
scene, where high school sports heroes
lurk in the background of the
proscenium arches of the varsity
socialites.
Talented sportsmen may find the
relaxed nature of university sport quite
contrary to what they know. Shock will
prevail when John, who ruled the rugby
field and had crowds roaring with his
side-stepping, realises that not everyone
will exalt his name; let alone know that
he played SA Schools Rugby.
This is particularly true at Rhodes.
Rhodes University is the smallest
campus in South Africa and houses the
smallest pool of talented sport players.
Sport is not the main focus as it is at
Wits or the University of Johannesburg,
for instance. These universities attract
many talented sport players through

The Final Word

bursaries that are supplemented by
rich sports trusts. Rhodes cannot be
expected to compete with traditionally
well-equipped sporting universities.
Another factor is that students have

L
a lot of other things to do. Time is an
ike you, I am new to Rhodes University and Grahamstown. essential commodity in university.
You will have already observed that both the University and Mandla Gagayi, a sports administration
Grahamstown are relatively small. Small, however, also means officer, says: “As a soccer coach I find
a beautiful, charming and quaint environment, with none of the that players say that they struggle with
hustle and bustle of a big city. If you thrive on big shopping malls, academics even though some are only
the adrenaline of hectic rush hour traffic, and Nandos, McDonalds in their first year.”
and the like, let go! Enjoy instead small town Grahamstown’s clean The biggest threat for sports is the
fresh air, laid-back atmosphere, relative safety and security, and the highly contentious evil: alcohol. A
raucous night out before a game the
excitement of four seasons in a single day.
next day is not ideal, especially when
you have a rugby match in the heat,
Unless you and I decide to make Grahamstown our permanent with a hangover. Often university sport
home, we are temporary residents of the town. The onus is on us, players get lost in the debauchery of
as members of the Rhodes University community, to cultivate good heavy drinking and find it difficult to
relationships and to build mutually respectful relations with Gra- regain fitness. Stuart Baillie, a Rhodes
hamstown’s permanent residents. This means avoiding being disrup- first team rugby player, who has devel-

Pic: Matthew Middleton

tive and excessively noisy, especially late at night. Also, if you must oped a boep due to his wavering fitness
consume alcohol please do so in a socially responsible way. You also levels, says: “The unique experience and
embracing the fact that sport changes
have skills to help address the development challenges of the town,
and letting go of former glory days is
and the Rhodes University Community Engagement Office provides what university sport is about.” Baillie
you with numerous opportunities to make a difference. also speaks of the disorganisation of Basketball is one of the few mainstream sports at Rhodes which performs consist-
ently well.
some of the sports clubs Rhodes com-
No matter at which level, Rhodes teams can always count on avid support from the
The University is giving attention to how we can better serve our petes against: sidelines.
students in digs. 2007 will see the introduction of sub-wardens for “Sometimes you travel for two hours
sections of the town in which Oppidans are clustered. In addition, a and the club that you are supposed to
new Oppidan dining hall will open to provide you with nourishing face doesn’t pitch.”
meals at a reasonable price. Please support these new initiatives as Though the transition into university
sport may be marred by some factors,
they have your interests at heart. Your warden and the Dean of Stu-
there is an upside. Sport at Rhodes
dents are committed to making your digs experience a positive one. caters for a wide variety of interests with
Please communicate with them should you have any suggestions in good facilities so be bold and try out
this regard. new sporting codes. The transition is all
about exploring and adapting, find-
With very best wishes for a productive and rewarding 2007, ing what suits you, your time and your
priorities.
It’s like playing that tricky slower ball Pic: Matthew Middleton
Dr Saleem Badat in a game of cricket. You just have to
Vice-Chancellor face the realities of university sport with
a readiness to adapt your style.

Attention: OPPIDANS!
Come to D&A Timbers if you’re looking for a range
of reasonably priced hardware for your digs.
Bathurst Street
Tel: 046 622 7301
Fax: 046 622 8739
Cell: 082 824 6892
For all your building requirements E-mail: jonathan@datimbers.co.za