Professional Documents
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14
>> A tribute
We salute Africas enviro visionary
15
Setlogane Manchidi, Head of Investecs Corporate Social Investment Division in South Africa
Bongiwe Tutu
From Cape Town to Grahamstown, the Right to Know campaign has every activist fired up. Read more on the Grahamstown launch on page 2.
before her case was dealt with appropriately by the University. Many confessants expressed disappointment at the response they were given by the University. Going through the Universitys disciplinary system was an emotionally gruelling and traumatic experience, said Natalie Donaldson, another confessant who laid a complaint of homophobic harassment with the University. Donaldson had been confronted by a male PhD student at Rhodes after giving her Post-Graduate presentation on Lesbian Representation and Stereotypes in Popular Media at the Interdisciplinary Conference in November 2009. The PhD student had subsequently questioned her partner and a friend on campus as to how they could associate with a lesbian woman. Donaldson noted that, during the disciplinary hearing, both she and her partner had to sit in the same room as the defendant and his supporters who included senior academics from the institution. The disciplinary or legal system at this University is clearly insensitive to the needs of those who have been victimised if they insist that both victim and alleged perpetrator remain in the same space for the duration of the proceedings, she said. The defendant was acquitted of the charges laid against him and Donaldson believes the judgement was an example of what she termed heterosexism at the University. Celeste, another confessant who now works as a health journalist, was diagnosed with HIV in her first year
at Rhodes and spoke about living nine years of her life with the disease. According to her testimony, Rhodes University and other Higher Education institutions do not do enough to educate their students about living with HIV or how to have sexual relations with people carrying the virus.
Going through the Universitys disciplinary system was an emotionally gruelling and traumatic experience
Celeste stated that the class of 2014 will be from a generation born in the viruss peak.These are the people we have to fight for, she said, because they have never known a world without HIV. Incidents of homophobic harassment, religious intolerance and racism on campus also came to the fore. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, applauded the confessants for their bravery in speaking out. I salute you all, he said. While he drew the proceedings to a close by emphasising that the Bill of Rights guarantees everyone inherent dignity and the right to be respected, students left the venue questioning how the University will respond. While no public comment has yet been released, a Campus Climate Survey is currently on StudentZone asking students about their experiences on campus with questions relating specifically to human rights abuses.
Features
Binwe Adebayo
Grahamstonians protest the secrecy bill as part of the Right 2 Know campaign
he Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM), a small number of Rhodes students and other Grahamstown citizens marched to the Cathedral in support of the Grahamstown launch of the Right 2 Know campaign on Tuesday 20 September. The campaign is a nationwide movement of people and organisations opposing the proposed Protection of Information Bill and aims to protect constitutional rights such as access to information and freedom of expression. However, the ruling party withdrew the Bill indefinitely for reconsideration on Monday 19 September, the day before the campaigns launch, which was seen as a major victory by campaigners. The Bill proposes that government officials be allowed to easily categorise government information as classified, with a proposed prison sentence of five years for anyone who leaks or publishes such classified information.
Parliament wants us to accept a Secrecy Bill thats only half bad, but the Bill is fundamentally flawed. The Secrecy Bill still fails the Freedom Test which ensures that our right to access and share information is protected, said Murray Hunter, national coordinator of the campaign. The national campaign statement Let the truth be told. Stop the Secrecy Bill! calls for the Bill to be rewritten or set aside. Ayanda Kota of the UPM said, The Secrecy Bill will function to protect the tenderpreneurs and all those who are plundering the national purse for their own selfish interests. A denial of the right to know will always protect the rich and powerful and will never be in the interest of the poor. Bongiwe Tutu, a Second Year BA student who attended the event, said, I dont agree with the Bill. From the apartheid era, where freedom of the press was limited, condoning secrecy reverses the progress our country has made, therefore defeating the purpose
of democracy. The Bill is not up-to-scratch. Crucially, it does not contain a public interest defence. This means that if you leak a document that is of public importance, you could be prosecuted even if you use it in the public interest, said Professor Jane Duncan, Highway Africa Chair of Media and Information in the Rhodes Journalism and Media Studies department. Kota said, We take a stand in defence of democracy. Our defence of democracy must be a democratic defence of democracy. It must be a bottom-up peoples struggle that takes the rights of all people seriously.
n townships across South Africa and in some other circles, the term phuza face is well known. A basic translation finds it to be a phrase that is quite self-explanatory. In colloquial terms, to phuza is to drink, but more specifically its to drink something alcoholic. The second word face is what it has always been that thing on the front of your head with the nose, mouth and eyes. So, whats a phuza face then, because the names by themselves dont explain much? If you took care to read the headline you would have realised that a phuza face is something undesirable, its akin to warts or chickenpox you try to avoid it at all costs. But recently, and this has been noticed by some who have commented on it via the internet (Twitter and Facebook in particular) our fair campus has been guilty of producing a host of new phuza faces because some people just dont seem to know when the party should end. And for this, their faces pay the price. All this talk about faces and the attention given to them is untoward according to Grahamstown general practitioner Dr H. Evans. He believes the face is the least of a persons worries when he or she is abusing
alcohol. Students are in the top 2% of intelligentsia in the world but [most of them] lack common sense, he says.
Pic sourced
Students are in the top 2% of intelligentsia in the world but [most of them] lack common sense
Dr Evans stresses that the internal effects of alcohol far outweigh what he terms the superficial aspects like deterioration in a persons looks. Scientifically, alcohol has been proven to dehydrate the body and deprive it of certain vital minerals and vitamins. According to Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatology, since your skin is your bodys largest organ, heavy drinking or simply drinking small amounts over an extended period of time can leave your skin looking pale, grey and tired. This comes as a result of alcohol causing collagen degradation in the dermis of the skin through overproduction of free radicals. Although Dr Evans agrees on the effects of alcohol abuse on the skin, he highly disagrees on their primacy. By the time peoples faces develop signs of alcohol abuse, their livers, kidneys and other internal organs have already taken a beating.
The phuza face is the university students silent nemesis But there is hope for those who seek to reverse the effects. Dr Evans attests to treating people as individuals, marking their unique medical histories and other relevant details before proposing a course of action. But the basics are simple: it all starts with proper hydration and limiting alcohol intake. This means balancing water intake with the correct vitamin and mineral supplements while also watching that your electrolytes are at the level they should be. Phuza faces dont choose by race, class, creed or gender. It may sound like the phuza face is the new scourge of student life, but it isnt. Alcohol abuse among students has been a longdocumented activity all over the world, but the thing is: cellular degeneration doesnt happen overnight. Phuza faces come gradually and are easy to prevent. It just takes puting the bottle away and knowing when the party is over, or face the droopy consequences.
A denial of the right to know will always protect the rich and powerful and will never be in the interest of the poor.
Write to us at letters@theoppidanpress.com
Politics
Another Bill you dont want to receive
Lucy Holford-Walker and Catherine Baytopp Many aspiring journalists see Rhodes University as the best institution to attend if they wish to have a meaningful career in journalism. But thanks to the controversial Protection of State Information Bill, students might begin to question whether there is a career in journalism at all. According to Avaaz.org, the Protection of State Information Bill would empower officials in nearly every state body to classify any document as secret on the basis of a vague definition of national security. The site is a campaign website and organisation dedicated to empowering people to take action and encourage social change. This site is one of many advocating for the Secrecy Bill to be discarded. The Bill undermines the very function of journalism, which according to Media Studies theorists Kovach and Rosenstiel is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing. With the passing of this Bill any journalist who publishes information considered classified, even if it is clearly in the public interest, can be jailed for a minimum of 15 years. This deters investigative journalists and whistle-blowers from exposing official crime and corruption. Aniela Batschari, a lecturer of Media Studies and the Communication Advisor at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), stated that As students wanting to work as journalists, we will feel threatened in practising our vocation, especially when informing the public about the injustice we see within our communities. Students already enrolled to study journalism at Rhodes University find the Bill threatening. Carissa Govender, a First Year journalism student, said she will continue to pursue a career in journalism. But she does not wish to be placed in a situation of moral conflict, I do not want to have to choose between publishing an article that is in the public interest and being arrested. It seems ironic that our right to freedom of expression is being endangered as we face this years Constitution Week. The Mail and Guardian published a feature on 9 September 2011 in which they highlighted some of their most significant stories that we as citizens would not be aware of if written under The Protection of Information Bill. Such articles include information regarding the arms deal, South Africas involvement in Libya, tensions within the ANC, and crime and corruption in other governmental departments such as the Crime Intelligence Unit. The Protection of Information Bill denies journalists the opportunity to provide citizens with information to maintain a true democracy. The passing of this Bill, as Batschari states, makes us doubt and question the freedom we like to think we have in this country. Pic sourced
Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and the new Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng flank President Jacob Zuma after Mogoengs appointment
If youve recently graduated, or are just about to complete your Bachelors degree, you may find that prospective employers are not showing enough interest in your considerable potential. What you need are some solid business and entrepreneurial skills to get the kind of attention you deserve. The Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town offers four postgraduate diploma courses in Management:
www.commerce.uct.ac.za/managementstudies/pgdiplomas
1 12:14 PM
Dr Vivian de Klerk
Judges
Vivian de Klerk has been the Dean of Students at Rhodes University since 2007. Her work involves ensuring that students are provided with necessary support while at Rhodes, while encouraging transformation and leadership amongst the student body. She obtained her BA (Hons) and MA degrees cum laude from Rhodes and a PhD from UCT, as well as completing an HDE degree from Unisa. She was Professor and Head of the Department of English Language and Linguistics from 1991 to 2006, and was awarded the Rhodes Vice Chancellor's Senior Research Award in 2004. De Klerk has a valid B2 research rating with the NRF. Larissa Klazinga is the Student Services Officer at the Universitys Dean of Students offices. Besides working with the Dean of Students, Klazinga is also the Lilian Ngoyi Hall Warden and the Student Anti-Harassment Officer. On the Investec Rhodes Top 100 initiative, Klazinga said, It is an excellent way to showcase the fantastic student leaders we have at Rhodes. It allows student leaders from every facet of Rhodes life to enjoy well-deserved recognition for their achievements. Commenting on the students who made the Top 100, Klazinga said, They have shown exceptional leadership skills, they are committed and hard-working, and this award celebrates their endeavours. Desiree Wicks enjoys living and working with students. Being involved with the Top 100 as a judge has been an extremely positive experience for her. She believes that judging the The Oppidan Press Top 100 is a tough process and the standard was incredibly high. On the whole however, Wicks is encouraged to see how well Rhodes students are doing and she has enjoyed being part of such an amazing process. Her parting words, Well done to all the participants and congratulations to the recipients of this prestigious award. Raul Dimitriu is a final year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student. He has maintained a balanced student life, encompassing academic, leadership, community and sport success. Dimitru placed second in his LLB class. He has engaged in student leadership as News Editor of Activate, sub-warden of Cory House, and a Founders Hall Committee Member. This is the third time that Raul has been featured in the Top 100, both times previously in the category of General Excellence. Caroline Thompson is a Second Year student studying towards a BComm. Her majors are Information Systems and Management. Some of her leadership awards include being elected as the student representative for the Faculty of Commerce and within one month of joining Rhodes being elected as a community engagement officer of the Golden Key Honour Society. Thompson is also a member of the Business Society and the Ballroom Dancing Society. Harshal Thaker, a final year Pharmacy student, has undertaken numerous leadership roles at Rhodes University. In his first year, Thaker was elected into the executive committee of the Rhodes Hindu Student Society and later that year he chaired the committee. In his third year, he was faculty representative for the Pharmacy as well as the third year class representative. Currently, Thaker is in his second term of sub-wardening for De Beers house. Maxine Smith is a Third Year BA student majoring in French and Law. She was President of French Society in 2010, winning the SRC's Most Improved Society Award. She also served on the SRC Special Grants Council and was Legal Theory IIs class representative. This year, she founded Babilanto Society, serving as Chairperson. A keen public speaker, she was Vice-President (Public Relations) of Rhodes Toastmasters and was Best Prepared Speaker at Intervarsity 2011. Zandile Ramalohlanye is a penultimate year LLB student with an interest in student concerns. She is currently a sub-warden, student legal assistant and an assistant student defense counsellor. In the past, Ramalohlanye was the Mandela Hall SRC Representative, residence councillors secretary and sat on the Board of Residences, the House Wardens Appointment Committee and the Mandela Hall Committee. Through these roles, she has tried to enrich the quality of life on campus. Kabwela Chisaka is completing her LLB and has an Honours degree in Biotechnology. In 2011, Chisaka served as the Young Communicators Awards Provincial Co-Ordinator, the Eastern Cape Schools Debating team manager and SAASTA National Schools Debates provincial project manager. This is in addition to her extensive work with Rhodes Debating Society, including serving as chairperson in 2010. Chisaka is currently an Oppidan sub-warden, as well as a Rhodes Law Clinic student mentor. Linda Midzi is a Chemistry Honours student who has been actively involved on the Rhodes campus in order to develop her personal life and contribute to the broader Grahamstown community. Lindas leadership roles include serving as the Chairperson of the Volleyball Club (2009), president of Golden Key (2010), secretary of the Student Sports Council (2011), and as a sub-warden in Hobson House (2008 and 2009) and at the Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village (2011). For Kyle OHagan, studying at Rhodes has been a fruitful experience. He has been placed on the Dean's List for Academic Merit for each year of study since 2007, awarded numerous scholarships to fund his postgraduate studies and has had the opportunity to tackle numerous leadership positions, including his recent role as chairperson of the Cancer Awareness Initiative at Rhodes (CAIR). OHagan has also been selected as a principal candidate for the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States. Graham Crocker is a final year LLB student who completed his BA in 2009. He has been placed on the Dean of Laws list for Academic Merit and he is currently a Legal Theory 2 Tutor. For two years of Crockers time at Rhodes, he has been the vicechairman of Rhodes Habitat for Humanity Society and he was the treasurer of the Rhodes Rugby Club in 2009. Crocker also captained two internal rugby teams.
It is the breadth and intensity of his leadership experiences that define Eric Ofei most completely. During his years at Rhodes, Ofei has displayed an interest in service. He has been active in community engagement volunteering programmes and participated regularly in residence sports and student governance. In particular, he has been SRC President, Hall Senior Student, a Society President and a Class Representative (2007-2010). Ofei continues to play an active role in student governance within the Rhodes University Community.
Taking to heart the Rhodes slogan where leaders learn, Roxanne Fietze used it as a reason to kick-start her leadership and serve as sports representative for her residence New House in her second year. She was also a residence sub-warden and tutored in the township in her third year. Fietze stooged at Kingswood College and served as treasurer on the squash committee in her fourth year. Fietze is currently an Oppidan sub-warden, Oppidan mentorship co-ordinator and chairperson of the squash club in her final year.
Trevor Gowing is currently doing his Honours in Information Systems. He has held leadership positions in class, student residence and sport. Gowing served as Head Student of Graham House in 2010 and sub-warden of Hilltop 3 House this year. His sporting achievements include being selected as an Eastern Province Country Districts Hockey Player and the vice-captain of the Grahamstown Shrews Hockey team. Gowing was also the class representative of Statistics 102 (2008) and Mathematics 102 (2009).
Christopher Sewry is currently in his fifth year and in his final year of LLB. Having majored in Accounting and Law, he followed the legal route and will complete his articles in Johannesburg. He spends most of his free time playing either field or underwater hockey, and has enjoyed the opportunity of an inter-provincial underwater tournament and more than one SASSU Hockey tournament.
Caitlyn Wilkie has been a member of the Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights (ROAR) since her first year. Towards the end of 2009, she was appointed as the media representative for the ROAR Committee (2009/2010). 2010/2011 saw Wilkie take on the role as secretary for the term and she was recently elected as the vice-chairperson for the 2011/2012 committee.
2010 was a successful year for Timothy Kuiper as it saw him placed as the top first year Science student, and start WildREACH, a conservation education initiative. The initiative has raised R65 000 to take over 130 underprivileged children to five different nature reserves in 2011. Kuiper is also on the prestigious Allan Gray Fellowship, and he is the vice-chairman of the Zoology Society.
During his five years at Rhodes, Rowan Hatherley has held various positions on the Chess, Table Tennis and Taekwon-do committees and has been on the House Committee for four out of his five years in residence. Currently, he is a sub-warden at Stanley Kidd House and president of the Rhodes University Taekwon-do Club. Additionally, he is also the current head instructor of Rhodes Taekwon-do.
David Shields is a Third Year student majoring in Journalism and Political and International Studies. He is currently a subwarden of Centenary House, captain of KDFC Internal Soccer Team and weights instructor at the Health Suite. Shields is part of the Inkwenkwezi Society, whose aim is to assist children from underprivileged backgrounds in reading and writing. He is also the Politics 3 class representative.
Between 2010 and 2011, Gcobani Qambela has had a busy two years. Qambela has been a mentor at the Lady Frere Mentorship Programme. He was a participant and presenter in the UNESCO Intergeneration Forum in the United States this year in August. His other achievements include being a research Nexus ambassador, a UCL and Leverhulme Trust Scholarship recepient in London this year and he has also attended the Top 100 Bright Young Minds for 2011.
General Excellence
Judges
Dr Vivian de Klerk Desiree Wicks Eric Ofei
In the past three years at Rhodes, Third Year student Anica Janse van Vuuren has achieved seven firsts, was placed on the Dean's list and is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society. She was also awarded academic half colours and became chairperson of the Photographic Society. Additionally, van Vuuren established Memories Photography, a wedding photography business and has been frequently featured in Grocotts Mail in 2009 and 2010. She is an active sportswoman, volunteered for GRASS and Amnesty International. Some of her photographs will feature in an Eastern Cape Tourism coffee table book. In his first year at Rhodes, Robert Evans became the De Beers Academic, Sportsman and Most Valued Member for 2010. Currently a Second Year BSc student, he serves as the House sports representative, Kimberley West Hall sports representative as well as entertainment representative for Rhodes Pool Club. Evans is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and the top student in HKE 2. He also takes weekly trips to Fort England with the Health Suite to conduct aerobics sessions and he participated in the Upstart programme exposing children in the community to the benefits of being physically active. Toddy Jaramba obtained his Bachelors degree in Economics in 2008 and 2009 saw him obtain his Honours degreee in Commerce. Jarambas highest achievement to date is his PhD in financial management. He is currently studying in the Department of Management at Rhodes. His interests and achievements have seen him tutoring economics from 20082010, captain the Zimbabwe Society mens soccer team in 2011 and participate in a vacation work programme in the US during the 2007 and 2008 December vacations. He aspires to become a financial analyst and a financial markets researcher. Precious Garayi is a self-motivated and competent individual. She is a Bachelor of Social Sciences graduate who is currently in her final year studying towards an LLB (Law) Degree. Garayi is a leader in her own right who has developed leadership capabilities through involvement in a number of leadership positions throughout her University career. Some of her leadership involvements include being Student Legal Advisor, President of Rhodes Toastmasters, Mentor for Toastmasters International, SRC Societies Chair Committee member, as well as Hobson House sub-warden. Kiarin Lee Gillies has been a leader in the environmental and community sphere at Rhodes University. Gillies is currently reading towards a Bachelor of Social Science in Anthropology, Sociology and Organisational Psychology. In addition to being the Environmental Councillor for the Rhodes SRC in 2010/2011 - Gillies was elected as a member of the South African Students Unions National Executive Committee for 2012. Gillies was Senior Student as well as community engagement representative in Ruth First. She was awarded Community Representative of the year in 2009. Lethabo Sekele was the community engagement representative of Olive Schreiner House in 2010 before becoming a subwarden in 2011. This year she was elected as the vice-president of the Golden Key International Society and is currently one of the top achieving students in Sociology 3. She is involved with a outreach project called AudioKids SA, where audio books are recorded and then distributed to various community libraries around Grahamstown. A current highlight for Sekele will be hosting the first annual women's month conference in her residence to empower young women while at Rhodes.
Jennifer Coppinger was on the New House residence committee as the sports representative in 2009 and became a part of the Athletics committee in 2010 and 2011. She has also represented Eastern Cape Province underwater hockey for the last two years and the U23 ladies South African under water hockey. Coppinger is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and is on the Deans list. She also featured on last years The Oppidan Press Top 100 list in the Sports category.
Mia Pistorius is emerging as one of South Africas most promising young pianists. She has performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides performing regularly throughout South Africa, she has also made solo debuts in Germany and Bulgaria. She is currently completing the final year of her BMus and is a Golden Key scholar.
Ruth Krueger is a Second Year BA student majoring in Environmental Science and Law. Last year she was among the Top 15% of academic achievers. This year she has been on the committee for the South East African Climate Consortium Student Forum, GRASS Rootz and the Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights. In the June holiday Krueger also helped to organise the BlueBuck conference, a meeting of Southern African youth environmental groups.
Michael Andersen is a Third Year studying Computer Science and Physics. He was the top student in the faculty of Science and Pharmacy in his first and second year. He won the National University Debating Championship in his first year, and serves on the Debating Society committee. He is the vice-president of the RUCUS society and the creator of the Hardcore Code programming competition. Andersen works at the Raphael Centre and has recently started a computer science pedagogical research project to foster enthusiasm for programming.
Michael Glover is a Third Year Philosophy and English Literature student. He is an active member of the Students for Social Justice movement and is the manager for the Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights. He has also been elected to take the position of Course Coordinator for 2012 at the Grahamstown District Relief Association. With the help of the Unemployment People's Movement, Inkwenkwezi, and the South East African Climate Consortium Students Forum, he is involved in formulating a student society which actively stands against poverty in Grahamstown.
Lihle Mancoba is a Third Year BSc student in Human Kinetics & Ergonomics and Organisational Psychology. She currently serves as a sub-warden of Dingemans House, is a statistics tutor and the project co-ordinator of Young Women's Dialogue. She was the winner of the Rhodes University Community Engagement Art Award in 2010 and is a recipient of the Rhodes University Residence Scholarship this year. She is interested in social development and her biggest highlight was being active in community engagement and gaining valuable experience outside her comfort zone.
Mohammad Shabangu is a Third Year BA student majoring in English and Organisational Psychology. He believes in the power of student governance and was elected as SRC Vice President (external) for 2010/2011. Shabangu was also the co-founder of the Rhodes Democratic Alliance Student Organisation. He is also actively involved in community projects and he was responsible for raising funds to the tune of R15 000 to refurbish Luzukho PrePrimary. 2010 saw Shabangu as a cast member of Morountodun, directed by Andrew Buckland.
Fourth Year Mumamba Mwansa is not only heavily involved in academics but in religious and sporting codes here at Rhodes. He has been placed on the Dean's list, been invited to join the Golden Key International Honours Society, and has been appointed sub-warden of Adamson house for both 2010 and 2011. This year he has been voted chairperson of the Student Christian Fellowship Society and the Economics Honours class representative. Mwansa also made the Rhodes Basketball First team and was appointed as the team Manager of the 1st and 2nd men's basketball teams.
Obakeng Montsho is currently studying towards an MSc in Applied Mathematics at Rhodes. His diligence and hard work has paid off as he was a First Year mathematics tutor in 2010 and this year is the academic development programme facilitator for the Mathematics Department. Montsho was appointed as a mentor for SANHARP bursars at Rhodes, the postgraduate representative for the Mathematics Department and the chairperson of Rhodes University Melodies. He was also the founder and chairperson of the Holy Trinity Mentorship Programme in 2009.
Dr Jeffrey Brukman, Senior Lecturer in Music Theory, is Head of the Department of Music and Musicology and National President-Elect of the South African Society for Music Teachers. He has wide experience as an assessor, having judged numerous national music competitions and adjudicated at eisteddfods throughout South Africa. Dr Brukman has four years experience as a Cue contributory editor and classical music reviewer.
Jennifer Schneeberger has been involved in numerous productions within the drama department and at the National Arts Festival. Most recently she directed a version of Antigone that won a Standard Bank Ovation award for outstanding work on the fringe at the National Arts Festival. She also performed in another 2011 Ovation award winner, Sub. Schneeberger is also dedicated to teaching within the realm of the performing arts. She has taught extensively within the department in the fields of voice, physical theatre and theatre-making as well as directing drama workshops at various local schools.
Litha Mpondwana is a Fourth Year Bachelor of Journalism student specialising in Radio. Litha was part of the United Nations Student Journalist Internship Programme, and provided coverage of the 64th UN DPI/NGO Conference. He has also been in a partnership which co-created a weekly gardening/healthy living show on Radio Grahamstown. Mpondwana was also a former reporter, then Sports editor of The Oppidan Press. His work has been published on the pages of the Daily Dispatch, UN DPI/ NGO Conference blog, and Grocott's Online. He has broadcast on SAfm, Umhlobo Wenene FM and Algoa FM.
Theresa Dwyer is a Second Year BMus Student specializing in piano performance and studying under Catherine Foxcroft. Since beginning at Rhodes, Dwyer has performed in numerous concerts and competitions including the Prestigious UNISA Grade 8 Scholarship Competition. Dwyer received SAMRO music bursaries in 2010 and 2011, as well as the Charles Bryars Music Scholarship 2011. Dwyer is also actively involved in outreach and was the initiator and coordinator of the fund-raising outreach production of Carnival of the Animals produced by the Rhodes Music Department 2011.
Currently in his final year of his MA degree in Drama, Gavin Krastins interests lie in sitespecific work, installation art, and the sourcing of choreography from avant-garde design and costuming. His works and designs have premiered at the National Arts Festival, Dance Umbrella, KKNK and OutTheBox. His recent National Arts Festival site-specific performance installation won both a Standard Bank Ovation Award, as well as a Standard Bank Encore! Award for demonstrating adventurous conceptualisation, choreography, research and design.
Heike Gehring is known as drama lecturer, theatre maker, director and actress. Her productions are characterised by an integrated approach in which multiple languages, performance styles and multimedia are implemented to create productions that make a strong social impact. She is currently teaching Voice; Contemporary Performance and Acting at Rhodes University.
Founder of the Fantastic Society, Sibulele Dyantyi is a Third Year student who started the society to encourage a spirit of excellence amongst students. Dyantyi has gone through the Commerce Foundation Programme at Rhodes and at the end of her foundation year she received an academic achievement award from Kimberly East Hall. Dyantyi was invited to the Golden Key Honour Society in 2010. She is currently food and community engagement representative of Walker House.
Colin Mkhize has excelled academically during his three years at Rhodes, particularly as a recipient of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust bursary and as a member of the Golden Key Honour Society. He was awarded the Top Science student in Lilian Ngoyi Hall for 2010. Mkhize has also been a sub-warden for two years and served on the Association of Catholic Tertiary Students committee for two years, one year as the Liturgy co-ordinator and another as the society Chairperson for 2011.
Lowell Scarr is a Third Year Inter-faculty student, majoring in Economics and Philosophy. He is an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow and was community engagement representative for Graham House in 2010. He is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and made the Deans list in 2010. Scarr teaches English to pre-primary children in Rini, and initiated Drostdy Hall's community engagement ties with a pre-primary school in Rini. He received the Residence Merit Scholarship in 2011.
In 2010 Boipelo Bonokwane was the Head student in Lilian Britten house. She then took on the role of SRC Community Engagement Councillor for the 2010/2011 term, during which she accepted an invitation to join the Vuku Pod working group, an online portal for Rhodes University community engagement. 2011 saw her join the African Thesis Online Journal as the networking officer. Bonokwane has been a community engagement Student Volunteer at the University and through her church.
Currenty a Third Year BA student at Rhodes, Mikaela Maroudas is majoring in History and Psychology. She is the chairperson of the Hellenic Society at Rhodes for 2011 as well as a sub-warden of Truro House. She is also involved in community projects. Maroudas was the community engagement representative for Truro House in 2010 and this year she works with the Inkwenkwezi Society, helping to improve the literacy of pupils at Samuel Ntsiko School.
Jean-Michel Gaud served as the 2010/2011 SRC Societies Councillor. He was influential in disallowing and preventing societies from going into overdraft. Through his efforts, the 2012 society committees will begin their year debt-free. Gaud also created a social network for society committees to communicate and collaborate with one another. With the support of many student writers, he cofounded the Rhodentimes.com, an online article-writing portal for aspiring authors.
Portia Gumede is an Information Systems Honours student. In her four years at Rhodes, Gumede has excelled, achieving academic half colours, placement on the Dean's list, and receiving the Louis Dubb prize for academic achievement in commerce. Having served as entertainment representative in 2009, Gumede is now a subwarden for Livingstone House. She has also been involved in community engagement projects with RUCE and the Student Christian Organisation.
Maureen de Jager is a senior lecturer, artist and writer. In 2002 she joined the Fine Art Department at Rhodes University, where she teaches Sculpture. She has exhibited regularly during the National Arts Festival and was nominated as a finalist in the 2010 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Biennial Exhibition and Award.
Nadine Joseph is a Second Year MA Drama student specialising in Choreography. She recently presented a paper at Confluences 6, an international dance conference held at the University of Cape Town. Joseph is the owner and creator of negatIve entertAinMent, which developed from the continued relationship between herself, Samantha Brill, Charne Glinski, Amy Green, Hannah Lax and Kay Mngadi. The company has most recently performed a work for the My Body My Choice campaign, both in Grahamstown and Johannesburg. They will be presenting this work in Cape Town, January 2012. Joseph has been awarded the Raymond Pullen scholarship (2009), the Jane Osbourn Scholarship (2010), as well as the Prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
Sifiso Sikhakhane choreographed Limitations for the Rhodes Constitution Week Programme and The Language We Cry In produced by Rhodes University Drama Department, Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company, Kingswood College Concert Band and Amaphiko Township Dance Project. Sikhakhane founded the Upstart Club Self-Development workshops - a programme designed to assist members to reach their true potential through voice production and physical training. He also teaches and administrates the Dance Studies course for the Amaphiko Township Dance Project. Sikhakhane is presently working with Njabulo Madlala as a board member for The Performing Arts South Africa International Festival.
Madele Vermaak is currently a Masters student in Drama, specialising in Directing. Vermaak completed her Honours degree in Drama, specialising in Directing, Acting, Contemporary Performance and Physical Theatre in 2011. She performed a leading role in the awardwinning production of Die Bannelinge, directed by Heike Gehring and written by Bauke Snyman.The piece was performed at the KKNK festival in Oudtshoorn, Volksblad festival in Bloemfontein and Aardklop in Potchefstroom. She has also performed in Morountodun, directed by Andrew Buckland. She was the musical director and a musical performer in the 2010 National Arts Festival Student Production of Rubber, directed by Robert Haxton.
Sizwe Hlatshwayo is a Third Year BA student majoring in Journalism and IsiXhosa. His passions are media, human welfare and social reform. He uses the resources available at Rhodes University to empower the less fortunate through media. His most recent achievement is making it to the Adinkra Child Mentoring Programme, where he and a group of 20 other mentors nurtured local scholars. Hlatshwayos work has been aired on SABC radio stations, East Coast Radio, and Algoa FM. He has worked as a radio reporter and host for Cue at the National Arts Festival and SciFest Africa, and is currently working for Radio Grahamstown.
Community Engagement
Judges
Rutendo Urenje has been a student volunteer since 2008. She has volunteered at Fort England, Amasango and worked with SAPPS in Middle Terrace. In addition, she has volunteered at Eluxolweni Youth Centre, Home of Joy, a soup kitchen in Joza and Revolution Heartbeat. Further, Urenje worked as a student assistant for Community Engagement. In addition to her community engagement work, Urenje was part of the winning team that represented Rhodes at the IHL Moot Court competition held in Arusha, Tanzania in November 2010. Sthembile Mdletshe is in her second year reading towards a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. She is the community engagement representative for Phelps House. Their community engagement partner is Home of Joy, with whom they run a homework programme with every Saturday. Their partnership also involves donating clothes, toys and educational books at the beginning and end of term. She also organised a Easter Party and Tea Party with the home this year. Dotun Makun is in his second year of Masters in Fine Art at Rhodes University. He assisted his supervisor, late Mark Bernard Hipper, in an art project at the Tower psychiatric hospital in Fort Beaufort since November of 2009. It involved a weekly art workshop with the patients, encouraging their creativity in ways unhindered by societal expectations and dogma. These works were exhibited at the National Arts Festival in June/ July 2011, with the help of Dr. Trudy Meehan of the psychology department and the Fine Art department. Sinazo Nomsenge is doing her third year in BSocSci. She is currently involved with an array of community engagement initiatives such as Eluxolweni Shelter, Home of Joy, GenX Group, Sakhuluntu Cultural Group, and the Psychology Child Project (which deals with children with disabilities). Her involvement also includes more informal activities such as jumble sales, organising blanket and stationery drives, Christmas and Easter Parties for shelters and old age homes. She was recently appointed as vice-president and community engagement representative of V.O.G.
Setlogane Manchidi, Head of Investecs Corporate Social Investment division in South Africa, was awarded an Honours degree in Social Policy and Management with distinction from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He has also been exposed to various leadership development programmes, which include: Heatids Integrated Business Leadership Programme with NISPED in Israel and Nexus with the Gordon Institute of Business Science, among others. Setlogane is currently pursuing a Masters in Commerce degree with the University of Johannesburg, Setlogane first gained experience in the development sector when he joined George Soros Open Society Foundation as a postgraduate student. Kathryn Linde registered at Rhodes University in 2007 After graduating, he worked for Andersen Consulting (now Acand completed a Bachelor of centure), as an organisation and Commerce in 2008. In 2009 she human performance business completed Honours in Economanalyst and consultant, before ics and passed with Distinction. joining Investec as a CSI consul- Linde was awarded academic tant in 2003. He was requested colours as well as a Merit Award to head the division in 2005. to continue studying. Currently, He was added as an Archshe is completing her final year bishop Desmond Tutu fellow, of study toward a Master of after completing the Desmond Commerce in Financial Markets Tutu Leadership Programme degree and was awarded an Aloffered by the Oxford Univerlan Gray Scholarship to do so. sitys SAID Business School in partnership with the African Leadership Institute in the UK. Investec CSI, under Setloganes stewardship received the 2009 Sunday Times Top 100 CSI Leadership Award. Setlogane is known, in the CSI space, for his passion and desire to see meaningful change in peoples lives. He sits on the Study Trust board of trustees, Philimpilo board and chaired the Kutlwanong Maths, Science and Technology Centres board since 2005 till early 2009. Brendon Martens managed the RU squash USSA team where the team came 7th this year. As part of the RU squash committee Martens helped organise the Rhodes University Squash Open and ran the courts for the entire tournament. He sat on the Economics Honours Conference Committee for the school outreach portfolio. Martens achieved a distinction in economics and academic half colours.
Julie Dixon has excelled academically at Rhodes University. 2010 saw Dixon on the Deans List of the Faculty of Commerce, a recipient of the Jardine Memorial Prize for Commerce and the SAICA trophy for the top Accounting 1 student. Currently, she is a member of Golden Key International Honour Society and the treasurer of the Student Christian Fellowship Society.
Catherine Selkirk has been awarded academic honours, placed on the Deans list, and received the BSG Prize for the top IS 3 essay. Selkirk was a Statistics tutor in 2009 and 2010 and a Management tutor in 2010 and 2011. She is also a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and placed as the top senior student in Courtney Latimer Hall for 2010.
Roger Adams, current Deputy Dean of Students and former head of Rhodes sport. In his tenure, Rhodes sport enjoyed a considerable shake up, with the improvement of the Inter Res sports programme, and of the various sports societies at Rhodes. Outside the office, the father of two enjoys cycling and playing golf.
Growing up in an animalfriendly household, Lorna Grant realised early in life that the main problems facing animal welfare everywhere stemmed from uncontrolled breeding of animals. Grant began trapping and sterilising feral cats in Grahamstown 20 years ago. In October 2009, she co-founded the Grahamstown Feral Cat Project and began fundraising among friends and cat-lovers. Since then they have sterilised over 200 cats, hand-reared and homed many feral kittens, and given endless advice on dealing humanely with feral cats.
Academic Excellence
The judging process for Academic Excellence is based on academic ranking
Paulina Sakaria is a Third Year BComm student that is passionate about becoming a chartered accountant. Not only has she been the top student in Adelaide Tambo House, but she also received the Haroline Jardine Prize for the best First Year student, SAICA Trophy for the top Second Year student in the CA stream, KMPG/LEN VERSTER Prize for Accounting 2 and the Nelson Mandela Hall top Second Year student award.
Mandla Gagayi is the head of sports at Rhodes University. He was also the recipient of the 2010 Vice-Chancellors Distinguished Community Engagement award, which he received for his work establishing the Grahamstown High Schools Soccer League.
Lance Ho is an active member of the Rhodes Archery Club, currently serving as entertainment representative. Having received his half colours for Archery in 2008, he went on to achieve full colours this year. Ho represented South Africa at the 2011 Universiade Games in Shenzhen, China, and was placed 17th overall. He was also part of the Eastern Cape Mixed Team that won silver at the South African National Archery Championships in 2011 majors
Michael Cannon has been a member of the Rhodes Athletics club since 2009, and holds records in road running, duathlon and triathlon. This year, Cannon finished third at the South Africa Triathlon Champs and first at the South African Duathlon Champs. He has qualified for the SA triathlon and duathlon teams to compete at their respective world championships. Cannon received the Rhodes Sportsman of the Year Award in 2010, as well as a Sports Honours Award.
Dr Kenneth Ngcoza is a science education lecturer in the Education Faculty and has been involved in establishing the MiST Research Centre. Ngcoza is also involved with The Khula Programme, which won the 2009 Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Community Engagement Award. The programme teaches senior school learners valuable skills in areas such as maths and science, which allows them to assist their teachers in educating their classmates in these subjects.
AJ Davenport is currently a Third Year BCom student majoring in Information Systems and Economics. He has been a sub-warden in Guy Butler for both 2010 and 2011, and made it onto the Deans List for 2011. The highlight of Davenports university career saw him being selected for and FNB IS/COMPSCI internship in 2011.
Stephen Penney is the Sport and Motoring reporter for Grocotts Mail, as well as Chief Photographer. Stephen was the 2005 recipient of the Sanlam Community Press Photographer of the Year, and has a keen interest in sports photography. He is also an avid runner and has completed the Two Oceans Marathon, among others.
Thenjiwe Mswane has been extensively involved in community engagement from 2008. She was the winner of the Nelson Mandela Hall Community Engagement Award, and was community engagement representative of Helen Joseph in 2009. In addition to volunteering at Amasango Career School (2008-2010) and St Phillips PreSchool (2008-2009), Mswane cofounded Revolution Heartbeat in 2010. Revolution Heartbeat is a community engagement youth group that works with the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Their projects include collaborations with Eluxolweni, a soup kitchen in Joza and Home Joy.
Julie-Anne Lothian is currently completing her MA in Philosophy, after completing her BA and BA Hons in Politics and Philosophy at Rhodes in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Since coming to Rhodes she has spent a considerable amount of time within community engagement activities, such as establishing the Inkwenkwezi society and working as a Thinking Skills tutor and co-ordinator in the GADRA Matric School. Lothian is also a member of the RUCE offices VUKU pod, where a group of student leaders and the CE office have been strategising on how to broaden community engagement possibilities on campus and within Grahamstown.
Temitope Olomola arrived at Rhodes in 2009 to study towards a PhD (Chemistry). Since 2009, Olomola has helped run and teach high school children at the Khanya Maths and Science Club. He has also been involved in presenting A pollutants tale (a science narrative with experiments about global warming) around Grahamstown, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Olomola served as a judge at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in the Grahamstown Regional Final (2011). His involvement in community engagement saw him receive the Rhodes University Community Engagement Student Volunteer Award in 2010.
Christine Coppinger became the road-running captain of the Rhodes Athletics Committee in her second year in 2008. She has taken part in the Two Oceans Marathon twice. Coppinger is also a SCUBA instructor, and active member of the Rhodes Underwater Hockey Club. She represented underwater hockey at a national level, also making the South African U23 womens team that participated in the World Championships in Holland this year.
Nomlando Lukuleni has played in the Rhodes netball first team since 2009. The Third Year Business Science student received a netball team award in both 2009 and 2010, and was nominated for netball half colours in 2011. Lukuleni represented the Cacadu district in the Netball South Africa Championships held in Cape Town this year. Lukuleni serves as head student of New House and as community engagement representative on the netball committee. Belinda Millar has represented the Rhodes first-team Waterpolo and Swimming teams since 2009, achieving full colours for Waterpolo in 2010. In 2009, she represented Border at the National Aquatics Championships. Millar has represented the Eastern Cape Ladies team at the same tournament. Millar was awarded the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year.
Professor Lynette Louw is the head of the management department at Rhodes University. She is also the Raymond Ackerman Chair of Business Administration and her areas of interest include management competencies, emotional intelligence and cross-cultural management.
Thashveen Lutchmun is currently doing an Accounting Honours after having graduated with his Bachelor of Commerce with distinction in Accounting in 2010. Lutchmun has been on the Commerce Dean's List for academic merit in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as obtaining academic half colours in 2008 and 2009.
Gillian McGregor is a lecturer in the Geography Department. She completed her BA Honours and MSc at Rhodes. Her primary research fields include fluvial geomorphology, impact of impoundments on rivers systems, developing methods for water resource management through GIS. She is extensively involved in Rhodes Sport, specifically underwater hockey.
Cathy Gush is the previous Director of the Rhodes Centre for Social Development (CSD). Since 2009, Gush has been writing freelance for the Rhodes University website and Rhodos. She has completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, which adds to her existing knowledge in Sociology and Adult Education. Gush worked in the education NGO field for 25 years.
Joanna Pickering is in the penultimate year of her LLB studies after completing her BA in Legal Theory and French. She is the winner of the Dr Valentine Cuemod Prize for the best student in French III, as well as the Pearce Rood Prize and the Spilkin Prize for the best student in Legal Theory III. She is also doing a French Honours module. This year she obtained five firsts in her mid-year exams and won the Penultimate Year Moot Competition. In her spare time she is a Legal Theory II tutor and the co-leader of the Environmental Portfolio of the Legal Activism society.
David Grenville is a Fourth Year Bachelor of Law student. As chairperson of the Ntuthuko Legal Activism Society, he has helped in creating a vision to empower those whose voices struggle to be heard, especially in the Grahamstown community. Grenville was awarded the Pearce Rood Prize and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyer Prize in 2009 and the Alistair Kerr Prize in 2010 for his academic excellence in the study of Law. He was also awarded the Dean of Students Leadership award in 2010 which recognises the top 30 leaders in the university.
Brenda Meyer is the Hall Secretary of St Marys Hall and is actively involved in community engagement in the University.
Abigail McDougall is a Third Year Journalism and Politics student with a commitment to environmentalism and social justice. She acts on this as the vice-chair of Galela Amanzi, and she has been elected as the 2012 chairperson. Academically, McDougall was placed on the Dean's Merit List in both 2009 and 2010, she is a Politics 1 tutor and she also contributes regularly to The Oppidan Press Environmental Section.
Brett Atkinson is a Third Year BSS student at Rhodes, who will be starting his Post Graduate Certificate in Education next year. In his first year, Atkinson was involved in the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) programme which saw him help grade four learners with their English reading. He also serves as development officer of two committees, namely chess and tennis. In his second year he worked at GADRA where he helped out an instructor who is partially blind, in the area of basic computer skills training specifically for the blind.
Sumaiya Melansi is a Third Year Humanities student. Her community engagement work includes working as a volunteer for St Marys daycare centre and St Marys Primary School in 2009 and 2010 respectively. In 2011 Melansi became the community engagement organiser for the Golden Key Rhodes University Chapter. The project that the society is currently engaged in is a Love Reading Club. The project is aimed at developing and improving reading and writing skills of primary school pupils in isiXhosa.
Shaheena Fakir is a third year student in the Pharmacy faculty. She is the top student in her faculty in the June examinations.
Razeena Kara is a Fourth Year Pharmacy student who placed third in the Faculty of Pharmacy in the June examinations.
Academic Excellence
The judging process for Academic Excellence is based only on academic ranking
Editorial
Kidakwashe Mlambo is a Third Year student studying a Bachelor of Economics. She placed fourth in her faculty in the June examinations. Amy Sutherland is a Third Year student majoring in Linguistics, Psychology and Classical Civilisation. She has also tutored Professional Communication and Psychology 1. She received a Rhodes Top 100 award for academic achievement in 2010 and this year she received the Rhodes Governors Scholarship for the top student in Second year Humanities, the Vivian de Klerk Prize for top Linguist in second year, and the Ernest Wild Prize for top Psychology student in second year. Chelsea Geach is a Third Year BJourn student studying English and Journalism, specialising in writing and editing. In first year, she was placed on the Deans List for Academic Merit, awarded academic half colours and invited to join the Golden Key Honour Society. For the 2011 June exams, she received the top results in her residence, Dingemans House. This semester she is studying at Bellarmine University in Kentucky, USA, through the Study Abroad Programme. Maura Feddersen is a Third Year Business Science student at Rhodes, intending to major in Management and Economics. Some of her academic achievements include maintaining an average of over 90% for Economics 3A and 3B, and Management 3. She has been included on the Deans List for the faculty of Commerce and she has placed in the top three Economics students since her first year. Feddersen is also a member of the Golden Key Honour Society. Ndivhuho Netshitenzhe is a Third Year student reading towards a Bachelor of Economics, majoring in Economics and Politics. She has made it onto the Deans List for the past two years and received her half colours for academics in first year. She is currently a sub-warden and was the treasurer for Olive Schreiner residence in 2010. She has managed to successfully balance her academics with her residence life.
Sarah Currie is a Third Year science student studying towards a Bachelor of Science. Currie placed third in the faculty of science in the June examinations.
Raul Dimitriu is a Forth Year law student. Dimitriu placed third in the faculty of Law in the June examinations.
Michael Andersen is a Third Year science student. Andersen placed first in the faculty of Science in the June examinations.
Luke Ross is a Third Year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Computer Science and Mathematical Statistics. He has made the Deans Merit List in 2009 and 2010. Ross is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society. For the last three years he has achieved academic half colours and he placed first academically in the Science Faculty in 2010.
Christopher Quin is in his fifth year at Rhodes and the final year of his LLB. He is currently the top student in his LLB class. Quin will be doing his attorneys articles at BVP&G in Cape Town next year. He is also the recipient of the Fred Cooper Prize for Business Structures, the Pearce Rood Scholarship for the best penultimate year LLB Student and the McKerron Scholarship.
Megan Blore is a Third Year student studying towards a BSc. She has been placed on the Deans List of Academic Achievement twice, received academic half colours, and been top in her class for Economics 2. Blore was also on the house committee for Adelaide Tambo as their academic and environmental representative in 2010. She is also a proud committee member of the GRASS Rootz environmental society.
Grant Goodwin has excelled at an academic level throughout his Rhodes career, being awarded the WD Terry Prize for English 2 and the Neville Robertson Scholarship in 2010. He was also placed on the Deans List for the Faculty of Humanities, and was awarded academic half colours this year. He also became president of the OUTRhodes Society in 2011. Goodwin participated in the 2010 Ballroom Nationals, where he placed 1st in the Beginner Ballroom section.
Michael Glover is a Third Year Humanities student. Glover placed first in the faculty of Humanities in the June examinations.
Kuda Sigauke is a Third Year pharmacy student. Sigauke placed fourth in the faculty in the June examinations.
Nothando Tichiwangana is a Third Year pharmacy student. Tichiwangana placed second in the faculty of pharmacy in the June examinations.
Tammy Louise Cartwright is a Third Year commerce student studying a Bachelor of Business Science. She placed third in her faculty in the June examinations.
Congratulations to all the winners of the Investec Rhodes Top 100 Students from The Oppidan Press team!
The awards ceremony will be held on 17 October 2011. You will be sent an invitation containing more details shortly.
Last week, the Dean of Students office organised the Rhodes Truth Commission Victims Hearing, which gave members of the Rhodes community who felt that their human rights had been violated the platform to raise their concerns with University management. With every person who stepped up to the microphone to address the commissioners, it became more and more obvious that the University needs to take action to protect its students. Many of the current and former students and staff who testified were examples of those who, in the words of one victim, slip through the cracks created by the holes in university policy and practices. It became clear that despite the widespread notions of tolerance and acceptance, and all the activism and awareness weeks, students still experience instances of offences like religious intolerance, heterosexism, prejudice and racism. Others explained how the University had let them down, through everything from questionable or delayed disciplinary practices to the counselling and support systems in place for HIV positive students. One by one, the speakers shared their experiences, hoping their words would inspire action by the University and change current practice. However, by the end of the evening, no one on the panel had suggested a plan of action or responded to the questions asked by the victims. A climate survey is available on Studentzone, but this was not mentioned at the event. One commissioner admitted that they were aware of the problems with the student disciplinary code, and that they were working on revising problematic disciplinary practices. But nothing more was said about what steps would be taken next, or when they would report back to the students on the issues raised that night. One can understand that the event was designed to be a sharing session but how was anyone reconciled to anything besides the fact that their questions were left unanswered? Commissioners used most of their response time to thank the participants for sharing their stories and commended their bravery. While this is important, one cannot help feel that those who spoke up were looking for answers, not sympathy and kind words. It is understandable that perhaps the commissioners were overwhelmed with the victims testimony and unable to properly discuss possible solutions while a roomful of spectators was watching. But surely they should have told the victims when they would let them know more about their plans to fix the faulty systems currently allowing these offences to take place? While the University is to be commended on hosting an event such as the victims hearing which allowed for these experiences to be shared with those in power, and it is of course understandable that the University cannot completely erase the prejudices students may have developed before they arrived at Rhodes, the fact remains that the victims should have received a more adequate response to their testimony. Many victims showed immense personal strength by recounting their ordeals to a roomful of strangers one would expect that this should have been swiftly followed by the knowledge that the University would work to prevent similar events in the future.
Opinion
he ANC has announced that its controversial and muchmaligned Protection of Information Bill (PIB), also dubbed the Secrecy Bill, has been shelved - for the moment. After months of ignoring pleas by media practitioners, civil society groups and the public not to pass the bill into law in its present form, the ruling party finally relented and announced that further consultation with the public needed to be undertaken before the Bill could be brought before the National Assembly. The Bill has often been described by
countless journalism schools (including our own), media firms and newspapers as one of the greatest threats not just to freedom of speech, but also to our much-loved and hard-won democracy. If the Bill were passed, it would give the ANC the power to protect corruption and unaccountability by giving public officials the right to classify information as secret, and by criminalising whistleblowing and imposing jail sentences on those who publish classified information. Examples where the leaking of state secrets has been harmful to South Africa are rare, and in fact often the leaking of official documents to the public has been entirely beneficial. One such example would be the leaked government reports by the Treatment
Action Campaign in 2003 that showed that antiretroviral treatment was a very affordable and viable option. However, despite overwhelming evidence that such a Bill would hinder rather than help society, the ANC has seemed determined to ignore the views of broader society on an issue that may have far-reaching implications for the publics constitutional right to information and the fight against corruption. In a nutshell, this Bill would allow corruption to thrive, and would force a wedge between society and the state. Values like accountability and transparency would go out window. The Secrecy Bill will not only silence the free flow of information essential for crimeprevention measures, but will also block
reports of police brutality, corruption or service delivery failures and render bodies such as the Independent Complaints Directorate meaningless. However, just because plans to pass the Bill, as it stands, into legislation have been shelved - it does not mean that we can rest easy. If anything, public pressure needs now more than ever to be heavy on such a Bill. The Right 2 Know campaign, which has been highly critical of and opposed to the Bill, has said that it will continue to put pressure on the ANC to rewrite or drop it completely. The protection of state secrets may be highly important, but it should not come at the cost of our basic right to freedom of speech and freedom to information.
F
Maathai: Learn from her life
Carina Truyts There were recently people swishing around in green capes on campus heroes apparently. I have no idea what they were doing except looking a bit bizarre. Ive heard a rumour about trees being planted for some celebration but I have not seen them. I do not think anyone is being empowered by these trees. Student volunteers are planting them. I think maybe they are a symbolic gesture. They will probably propel some useful oxygen into the air. And that is a good thing. But Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai died last week, and her life achievements got me thinking. Here is a real hero, albeit without a cape. Maathai was a woman who planted trees with a purpose. Having founded the Green Belt movement, she had approximately 45 million trees planted in Kenya. She was a visionary who was concerned with the plight of impoverished women in her country. She encouraged tree planting so that communities would be assured of future firewood and water conservation. She was also politically savvy: she sat in parliament for five years where she learnt that the root of the underdevelopment issue ultimately lies in the disempowerment of the poor as explored in her book, The Challenge for Africa: A New Vision. She was an advocate for education, for teamwork, and for proactive solutions that extend from the root to the apex of a problem. She received the Nobel Peace prize in 2004 and was the first African woman to do so. If we want to transform tree planting from a good gesture into a great one then we have to think further. We have to remember that our debt is to each other as much as it is to future generations that we want to sustain the earth for. We have to think more like Wangari Maathai. We have to include as many people as possible in our plans to save the world. We have to weave tree-planting into a web of solutions that involve other facets and other human beings. Like many university students, I shudder at group work. I always seem to get those cats who lose their flash drives and get the trots on presentation day. Yet assimilation is the only way we are going to move forward. Rhodes is an academic institution with many bright minds, who could and should be working together to find active solutions to the myriad problems we face. Our environmental issues are linked so closely with those of poverty, of politics and of social anaemia. If we want to be true green heroes we must learn from Wangari Maathai. We must think broadly, and we must plant our trees in context.
ourth-generation Karoo farmer and anti-fracking activist Doug Stern recently gave a lecture at Rhodes on the impacts of fracking. Stern returned from a fact-finding mission in the USA where he visited both New York and Pennsylvania, becoming more familiar with the consequences and implications of this controversial process. Agriculture plays an important role in the Karoo community and fracking is a significant threat to this industry. Food security will be threatened as farms supply a large proportion of the food and jobs for the surrounding communities. Once the farmers have been removed, struggling communities will remain. Properties will also lose their value as the underground piping used for fracking will result in unproductive land. We are going to lose the beauty of our country, said Stern while drawing attention to the fact that the communities which may be affected will not want to face the negative impacts fracking poses to their houses and livestock. The environment will be threatened by the high truck density and traffic congestion on the roads. Fracking causes large amounts of dust which will result in vegetation being avoided by animals, as well as the production of crops and rearing of livestock also being affected. Pic sourced
Game review:
Dead Island
Jonathan Funcke Reviewing this game seems appropriate after last terms Humans Vs Zombies event on campus. Dead Island, renowned for having one of the most moving trailers ever made, is a game that tries to realistically create the zombie apocalypse. This is clearly an Adult rated game. By realistically I mean that the accessibility to guns is limited. The game features a rather barbaric limb-breaking system to hinder zombies which is dramatically effective, and the violence is right on par with any B-grade zombie movie. Unfortunately that is where the realism ends - after choosing from four politically correct characters, you awake in your room on an island resort. It doesnt take long to realise what has happened, as you are thrown head-first into the apocalypse and are strangely the only person that is immune. The game has tried to incorporate various Role Playing Game elements that do encourage exploration of the sand box island. However, I was a bit perplexed when I discovered a level-5 pipe that I could not wield because I was only level-4, despite being able to swing much heavier looking objects. And it didnt stop there. Because of console memory issues, the Artificial Intelligence was seriously lacking in the intelligence department. The game also suffers the common curse of publishers pushing its release far too early - it is riddled with bugs and errors. There are missions you can take for other survivors but most of the time you feel like a glorified delivery boy. I reached my limit after risking my neck for a few boxes of juice! In conclusion, Dead Island has a beautifully deceptive trailer and possesses great potential, but it is one of the worst releases of the year. I cannot deny the feeling of terror I felt at the sound of the horde of zombies running towards me when all I had to defend myself was a half-broken oar. But that feeling wore off after the plethora of mundane and basic fetch me this tasks.
eritage Day saw the evening culminate in symphony and perfect coda as the Grahamstown Music Society held a concerto festival concert. The event was held at St Andrews Drill Hall and featured the Rhodes University Orchestra. The festival concert was the final round of the Concerto section of the 5th National Grahamstown Music Competition, which is organised by the Grahamstown Music Society. Wooden floors, stage lights and the chandelier of the Drill Hall set the scene as the maestro prepared the Rhodes University Orchestra for Herbert Baumanns Variations on a theme by Handel. Parents, relatives, friends and fellow music students were mesmerised as the candidates performed, playing only one movement out of the concerto. Giving variety to the orchestra was East Londons Okuhle Malhangeni on recorder playing Vivaldis Concerto in C. The youngest of the contestants was 13-year-old Sarah Camp from Durban who competed in the concert with her recital of Haydns Divertimento in C for piano. Music students Theresa Dwyer and Andrew Duncan represented Rhodes University in the contest with their piano pieces, which were highlights that
ensnared the audience and left them in awe. The other highlight of the concerto festival concert was Richard Rheeders piano recital of Beethovens Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, First Movement, captivating audiences with his eloquent and easy approach. Its the cadenza of that first movement that I particularly enjoy, said Bloemfontein representative Rheeder after his performance. Music does not come out of iPods - it comes from musicians and their instruments, said Grahamstown Music Society chairman Torquil Paterson before announcing the winner of the competition. Rheeder placed first for his recital performance, with Malhangeni and Dwyer being awarded 2nd and 3rd respectively. Adjudicator Johan Pretorius said that the performances were of a very high standard. Its always difficult to decide as the musicians have a high capability and you are also seeing musicians from five-year-olds to university level. But what made Rheeder stand out was his mature approach, not because of his age but he gives his music pieces time to breathe, he said. The contest began in June of this year, when six candidates were chosen from the 19 taking part. Judges rigorously limited their final choice to only five candidates. Overall, the evening was an enjoyable cornucopia of music ranging from Baroque to Classical.
Earl Grey and Croquet guitarist, Chris Smith, rocks out at SSS
Picture this
Fiona Christensen
Domestic and international flights, car rental, van rental, accommodation reservations, bus/coach bookings, visa applications, travel insurance.
Attendees view donated artwork at a local digs last Thursdays Picture Pot fundraising event. For R25, participants could select a favourite piece and take it home. All proceeds were earmarked for the Masincedane Soup Kitchen.
Sports
Vanessa Christensen
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fter months of training, dedication and hype, it was time for Rhodes rowers to put it all to the test in this years final of the 31st Mutual & Federal Universities Boat Race on 10 September 2011. The day started with wonderful weather, and a great turnout of supporters put everyone in the mood to watch the regatta. Rhodes had four teams, two mens and two womens teams in the A and B sections respectively and all four raced on the day in the final races. This was after all the teams battled it out in the heats on Thursday where the mens A-crew just missed making the 1st and 2nd final and went on to row against UCT for third and fourth positions. The mens B-crew gave a stellar performance on Thursday with a strong crew to make the first and second place final. The womens B-crew also rowed well on Thursday, putting in their all to make the 1st and 2nd position final on Saturday with the womens A-crew rowing hard against their tough competition to make it to the 3rd and 4th position final. On Saturday, races began at midday with the womens B race kicking off proceedings with Rhodes racing against Tuks for the top position. After a long 4km race the women Vanessa Christensen
placed second. The mens B race was next and Rhodes was up against UJ in the final in a gruelling 6km race. After a good start and fantastic teamwork, the mens B-crew out-rowed UJ to take 1st place with a solid victory. Just the feeling of coming first under that finishing bridge makes you think back to the countless hours and kilometres of training; and you think Hell, I wouldnt change a second of it, says Matthew de Klerk, a rower in the B-crew. The womens A race was next and Rhodes women A-crew were up against UCT for 3rd and 4th position. After a tough race, the women placed 4th behind UCT, with Tuks coming 2nd and UJ placing 1st. Lauren Cowie, a member of the womens A-crew, said it was a good race and the team did well, considering they were competing against women who had qualified for national teams and the Olympics. The Mens A finals started with Rhodes and UCT rowing for positions 3 and 4. The race began with an incident of near-collision in the water between the two teams but Rhodes managed to stay on track and pull themselves to victory and clinch the 3rd position. UJ placed 2nd and Tuks 1st in the men s A division. Overall, it was a well-attended day and yet another successful boat race for Rhodes rowing, their teams, coaches, and all the supporters.
Vanessa Christensen
Graydon Theron of the mens A-crew after crossing the finish line. They came in third
The elated Rhodes men's B-Crew after placing first in the recent Mutual & Federal Universities Boat Race